Doctor crisis fuels cancer check delays

But experts urge people to get seen

- BY MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor

PEOPLE are putting off getting red flag cancer symptoms checked due to a lack of GP appointments.

A poll of 6,844 by Cancer Research UK showed that was the main reason people ignored signs which could be cancer.

The top reason was thinking it would be too hard to get an appointment and not bothering, which was cited by 53% of people, followed by trying to get a slot but it proving too difficult at 47%.

Next was not thinking the symptom would be anything serious (44%) and deciding they could manage the symptom themselves (43%).

Some 43% said they found it difficult to get an appointment with a particular healthcare professional while 40% did not want to be seen as making a fuss.