Some patients with suspected cancer fail to attend referral appointments – we found out why

Some patients with suspected cancer fail to attend referral appointments – we found out why
The Conversation 28 November 2019

• A study has found evidence that more than 5% patients do not attend their urgent referral appointments. The researchers used a statistical study of more than 100,000 patients who had received an urgent referral for suspected cancer, and an interview study with GPs and with patients who had cancelled or not attended their urgent referral appointment to try to understand why.

Why do patients with a curative treatment plan for oesophago-gastric cancer not go on to receive surgery?

Why do patients with a curative treatment plan for oesophago-gastric cancer not go on to receive surgery? Oesophago-Gastric Cancer: Short Report
HQIP 13 June 2019

• This report examines the potential reason for the difference between planned and actual surgical resection treatments in patients with oesophago-gastric cancer. Initial examinations point to differences in specialists' opinions, patient preferences, patient fitness and tumour characteristics.

Intensive care: balancing risk and benefit to facilitate informed decisions

Intensive care: balancing risk and benefit to facilitate informed decisions
BMJ 2018;363:k4135, 19 October 2018 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4135

• Intensive care can be associated with substantial physical and psychosocial burdens for patients and may have adverse psychological consequences for families. Potential harms of intensive care are commonly overlooked in times of crisis when timely decisions need to be made about escalation of care. Frail, elderly patients have poorer outcomes after a stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) and are rarely consulted about their wishes for life sustaining treatments. 
• The decision to admit a patient to the ICU should include assessment of whether the likely benefits outweigh the risks. Where possible, patients and their families should be involved in the decision making process. Earlier information about intensive care practices and outcomes may help patients make informed choices about their future care.

Factors influencing men’s choice of and adherence to active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer: a mixed method systematic review.
Eur Urol. v74(3), p261-280 September 2018; doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2018.02.026.

• The recent ProtecT trial demonstrated that there was no difference in 10-year survival rates between men with low risk localised prostate cancer who were allocated to active surveillance and those who chose radical treatment.
• However, patient uptake of and adherence to active surveillance is generally low in clinical practice. This research suggests that efforts by clinicians to explain the choices available might help improve understanding, uptake or adherence. This will aid patients in making more informed decisions, potentially lessening the side effects experienced by some men.

Abstract