ArticleThe British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners2016
Unintended consequences of an 'all-clear' diagnosis for potential cancer symptoms: a nested qualitative interview study with primary care patients.
Article in The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers.
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Who cites it
21 citing papers in PubMed.
- Urgent, but Not Certain: A Systematic Environmental Scan and Content Analysis of Publicly Available Patient Information for Suspected-Cancer Referral in England.Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education · 2026Article
- Impact of Hypertension on Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Among French Women: The E3N Prospective Cohort.Cancer medicine · 2025Observational
- Advice after urgent suspected cancer referral when cancer is not found in England: Survey of patients' preferences and perceived acceptability.Preventive medicine reports · 2024Article
- What can hospital emergency admissions prior to cancer diagnosis tell us about socio-economic inequalities in cancer diagnosis? Evidence from population-based data in England.British journal of cancer · 2024Article
- When things go wrong: experiences of vaginal mesh complications.International urogynecology journal · 2023Article
- What causes delays in diagnosing blood cancers? A rapid review of the evidence.Primary health care research & development · 2023Review
- Factors influencing symptom appraisal and help-seeking of older adults with possible cancer: a mixed-methods systematic review.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2022Article
- CA125 test result, test-to-diagnosis interval, and stage in ovarian cancer at diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2021Article
- Influence of doctor-patient conversations on behaviours of patients presenting to primary care with new or persistent symptoms: a video observation study.BMJ quality & safety · 2020Observational
- Comorbid chronic diseases and cancer diagnosis: disease-specific effects and underlying mechanisms.Nature reviews. Clinical oncology · 2019Review
- Exploring public attitudes towards the new Faster Diagnosis Standard for cancer: a focus group study with the UK public.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2019Article
- Opportunities for reducing emergency diagnoses of colon cancer in women and men: A data-linkage study on pre-diagnostic symptomatic presentations and benign diagnoses.European journal of cancer care · 2019Article
- Disease-related factors affecting timely lymphoma diagnosis: a qualitative study exploring patient experiences.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2019Article
- Using the candidacy framework to understand how doctor-patient interactions influence perceived eligibility to seek help for cancer alarm symptoms: a qualitative interview study.BMC health services research · 2018Article
- The contribution of a negative colorectal screening test result to symptom appraisal and help-seeking behaviour among patients subsequently diagnosed with an interval colorectal cancer.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2018Article
- Do comorbidities influence help-seeking for cancer alarm symptoms? A population-based survey in England.Journal of public health (Oxford, England) · 2018Article
- Article
- Patient perspectives on delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer: a qualitative analysis of free-text data.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2017Article
- Do colorectal cancer patients diagnosed as an emergency differ from non-emergency patients in their consultation patterns and symptoms? A longitudinal data-linkage study in England.British journal of cancer · 2016Article
- Worrying about wasting GP time as a barrier to help-seeking: a community-based, qualitative study.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2016Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundNine out of 10 patients undergoing urgent cancer investigations receive an 'all-clear' diagnosis.
aimA qualitative approach was used to evaluate the impact of investigations that did not result in cancer diagnosis on subsequent symptom attribution and help seeking for recurrent or new possible cancer symptoms. DESIGN AND
settingA survey of symptoms, help seeking, and past investigations was sent to 4913 individuals aged ≥50 years from four UK general practices. Of 2042 responders, 62 participants were recruited still reporting at least one cancer 'alarm' symptom in a 3-month follow-up survey for a nested in-depth interview study (ensuring variation in sociodemographic characteristics).
methodFramework analysis was used to examine the in-depth semi-structured interviews and identify themes related to previous health investigations.
resultsInterviewees were on average 65 years old, and 90% reported investigations within the previous 2 years. Most often they reported gastrointestinal, urinary, and respiratory symptoms, and 42% had waited ≥3 months before help seeking. Reassurance from a previous non-cancer diagnosis explained delays in help seeking even if symptoms persisted or new symptoms developed months or years later. Others were worried about appearing hypochondriacal or that they would not be taken seriously if they returned to the doctor.
conclusionAn all-clear diagnosis can influence help seeking for months or even years in case of new or recurrent alarm symptoms. Considering the increasing number of people undergoing investigations and receiving an all-clear, it is paramount to limit unintended consequences by providing appropriate information and support. Specific issues are identified that could be addressed.
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