Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Cancer

Long-term conditions could delay lung cancer diagnosis, new study finds

August 30, 2024
in Cancer
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
67
SHARES
613
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

A new study from researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) reveals that patients living with certain long-term health conditions may face delays in being diagnosed with lung cancer. This is particularly concerning as lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK for both men and women, with high mortality rates largely due to late-stage diagnosis.

A new study from researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) reveals that patients living with certain long-term health conditions may face delays in being diagnosed with lung cancer. This is particularly concerning as lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK for both men and women, with high mortality rates largely due to late-stage diagnosis.

The research highlights how some chronic conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, can obscure early symptoms of lung cancer, leading to delays in diagnosis. The study analysed GP health records and hospital data from 11,870 lung cancer patients in England, diagnosed between 1990 and 2019.

Key findings

Dr Imogen Rogers, who led the analysis, reported that patients with one or more conditions that could provide “alternative explanations” for lung cancer symptoms experienced significant delays in receiving a diagnosis. The study found:

  • Patients with one “alternative explanation” condition, such as COPD or asthma, were diagnosed with lung cancer 31 days later on average.
  • Patients with two or more such conditions experienced an even longer delay, averaging 74 days.
  • COPD was identified as the condition resulting in the longest delay to lung cancer diagnosis, with affected patients being diagnosed 59 days later than those without the condition.

The study also found that conditions placing “competing demands” on a GP’s time, such as arthritis or diabetes, did not significantly impact the time to lung cancer diagnosis once factors like age, sex, and smoking history were considered.

Implications for clinical practice

The research team suggests that clinical guidelines should be updated to highlight the potential for conditions like COPD to mask early symptoms of lung cancer. By raising awareness of this issue, they hope to reduce diagnostic delays and improve outcomes for patients.

“This research underscores the need for heightened vigilance in patients with chronic respiratory conditions,” said Dr Rogers. “Recognising that these conditions can mask the symptoms of lung cancer is crucial in ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.”

Call for action

The NHS in Sussex is already exploring ways to improve early cancer diagnosis, and this study could play a critical role in shaping future strategies. The findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive patient assessments and the need for healthcare professionals to consider the possibility of lung cancer even in patients with existing respiratory conditions.

The study, funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, and involving collaboration between BSMS and the University of Kent, was published in the British Journal of Cancer this month. For more details, the full study is available here.

This research could pave the way for new guidelines and training for GPs, ultimately aiming to save lives by catching lung cancer earlier, even in patients with complicating health conditions.



Journal

British Journal of Cancer

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The effect of comorbidities on diagnostic interval for lung cancer in England: a cohort study using electronic health record data

Article Publication Date

23-Aug-2024

Share27Tweet17
Previous Post

NCT/UCC Dresden: Millions in funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative for state-of-the-art imaging to accurately detect minute tumors

Next Post

New UMass study identifies factors that predict physical activity for nursing students

Related Posts

Cancer

Computational Biology Designs Custom Binders to Outsmart Cancer

August 5, 2025
blank
Cancer

‘Sweet’ Breakthrough Uncovers How Glucose Powers Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells

August 5, 2025
blank
Cancer

Carnosol’s Cancer Fight: From Molecules to Medicine

August 5, 2025
blank
Cancer

48th Annual UNC Lineberger Scientific Symposium Highlights Advances in Cancer Discovery and Patient Care

August 5, 2025
blank
Cancer

Chronic CMV Infection Boosts Melanoma Immunotherapy Survival

August 5, 2025
blank
Cancer

Carvedilol Boosts Paclitaxel Effect in Resistant Gastric Cancer

August 5, 2025
Next Post

New UMass study identifies factors that predict physical activity for nursing students

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27530 shares
    Share 11009 Tweet 6881
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    941 shares
    Share 376 Tweet 235
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    641 shares
    Share 256 Tweet 160
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    506 shares
    Share 202 Tweet 127
  • Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn

    310 shares
    Share 124 Tweet 78
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Urban Rituals Halted: COVID-19 Lockdowns Impact Celebrations
  • Canadian Parents’ Views on Micro- and Nanoplastics
  • Unveiling NUDIX Hydrolase in Leishmania major
  • Computational Biology Designs Custom Binders to Outsmart Cancer

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,184 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading