Test, evidence, transition: supporting faster breast cancer diagnosis

This project is funded by Cancer Research UK. It involves designing, implementing and evaluating a change in pathway to allow fast-track access to assessment clinics for symptomatic patients with a breast lump, to support earlier cancer diagnosis. The project team includes multi-disciplinary researchers at University of Stirling, and clinicians and managers at NHS Forth Valley and NHS Golden Jubilee. The team is supported and guided by stakeholders and people with lived experience of cancer.

The new pathway introduces a fast-track access option for patients calling their GP surgery with a breast lump. This new pathway means these patients can, if they prefer, receive a direct referral to the specialist breast assessment clinic rather than seeing a GP first. The aim is to improve the flow from when a patient reports a breast lump to them being assessed, diagnosed and ultimately treated. We expect this will lead to improved patient experience and reduced delays. We are also interested in whether and how the new pathway impacts on inequalities in health. Our evaluation will explore these outcomes, and any unintended consequences of the new pathway. Our work will result in new knowledge about how to improve cancer diagnosis pathways elsewhere.