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Damhus CS, Brodersen JB, Nielsen GL. Diagnostic flow for all patients referred with non-specific symptoms of cancer to a diagnostic centre in Denmark: A descriptive study. Eur J Gen Pract 2024; 30:2296108. [PMID: 38179994 PMCID: PMC10773629 DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2023.2296108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2012, Cancer Patient Pathways for Non-specific Symptoms and Signs of Cancer (NSSC-CPP) have been implemented in Scandinavia and UK. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to describe the diagnostic flow for all patients referred from 1 January to 30 June 2020 to the NSSC-CPP in the Diagnostic Centre in Farsø (DC-F), Denmark. METHODS During the study period, we prospectively recorded information on the diagnostic flow, including: pathway trajectory, symptoms and findings leading to referral, diagnostic procedures and diagnoses at the end of DC Farsø work-up and within 6-months for all patients referred to the NSSC-CPP in DC Farsø using electronic patient files and the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR). RESULTS Of the 314 referrals to DC Farsø, 227 had diagnostic work-up in DC Farsø, the remaining were redirected to other CPPs (n = 11), outpatient clinics (n = 45) or redirected to general practice (n = 25). Of total referrals, 25 (8%) received a malignant diagnosis, 20 (6%) a non-malignant but clinically relevant diagnosis with initiation of treatment, 16 (5%) a non-malignant diagnosis but no treatment needed and in 253 (81%) referrals no severe new condition was diagnosed. Two (1%) additional malignancies were diagnosed within a 6-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION By tracking all patients referred to the NSSC-CPP in DC Farsø, including those redirected, this is the first study to describe the diagnostic flow for all patients referred to a diagnostic centre in Denmark. This knowledge is important for further organisation and planning of the NSSC-CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Sadolin Damhus
- The Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Research Unit for General Practice in Region Zealand, Denmark
| | - John Brandt Brodersen
- The Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Research Unit for General Practice in Region Zealand, Denmark
- Department of Community Medicine, General Practice Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gunnar Lauge Nielsen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Grønnemose RB, Hansen PS, Worsøe Laursen S, Gerke O, Kjellberg J, Lykkegaard J, Thye-Rønn C, Høilund-Carlsen PF, Thye-Rønn P. Risk of cancer and serious disease in Danish patients with urgent referral for serious non-specific symptoms and signs of cancer in Funen 2014-2021. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1304-1315. [PMID: 38409600 PMCID: PMC11014902 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02620-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2011, as the first European country, Denmark introduced the non-organ-specific cancer patient pathway (CPP) for patients presenting with non-specific symptoms and signs of cancer (NSSC). The proportion of patients with cancer over time is unknown. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of all patients with a NSSC-CPP investigational course in the province of Funen to the Diagnostic Centre in Svendborg from 2014 to 2021 was performed to evaluate the proportion of patients with cancer and serious disease over time. RESULTS A total of 6698 patients were referred to the NSSC-CPP of which 20.2% had cancer. While the crude referral rate increased from 114 per 100,000 people in 2014 and stabilised to around 214 in 2017-2021, the cancer detection rate of the total yearly new cancers in Funen diagnosed through the NSSC-CPP in DC Svendborg increased from 3 to 6%. CONCLUSIONS With now high and stable conversion and crude referral rates, the NSSC-CPP is one of the largest CPPs in Denmark as measured by the number of new cancer cases found. Similar urgent referral programmes in other countries might fill an unmet medical need for patients presenting with serious non-specific symptoms and signs of cancer in general practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Per Syrak Hansen
- Diagnostic Centre, Svendborg Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Svendborg, Denmark
| | | | - Oke Gerke
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jakob Kjellberg
- VIVE, The Danish Centre for Social Science Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Lykkegaard
- Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Clara Thye-Rønn
- Diagnostic Centre, Svendborg Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Svendborg, Denmark
| | | | - Peter Thye-Rønn
- Diagnostic Centre, Svendborg Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Svendborg, Denmark.
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Damhus CS, Risør MB, Brodersen JB, Jønsson ABR. Rethinking the logic of early diagnosis in cancer. Health (London) 2024:13634593241234481. [PMID: 38407179 DOI: 10.1177/13634593241234481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
To reduce morbidity and mortality of cancer, more countries have implemented strategies to detect cancer, based on the logic of 'the sooner the better'. Time is thereby an essential component in how cancer research, policies, and prevention are practiced today. Where the logic of early diagnosis benefits some, the logic also produces harms. In this article, we use a cross-disciplinary case-study design to discuss how different notions of time and linearity are essential in today's research ontology of cancer, describe the individual and societal consequences of such ontology, and invite a rethinking of time in cancer. Drawing on theoretical concepts of time together with cancer epidemiological, historical and ethnographical data, we analyse how the logic of early diagnosis has been established as a stable concept. Although evidence supporting the logic points in different directions, the message 'the sooner the better' is currently not being challenged by research, policy or society. This at least partly, can be explained by a linear perception of time and societal traces of neoliberalism and acceleration in our society together with cancer still being a somewhat enigmatic disease that requires acute action. To support a sustainable healthcare sector, we argue there is a need to nuance the logic of early diagnosis. Continuing the linear perception of symptoms and cancer, risks doing more harm than good by making more people patients unnecessarily and by spending health resources on those with the least need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Sadolin Damhus
- The Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Research Unit for General Practice in Region Zealand, Denmark
| | - Mette Bech Risør
- The Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Community Medicine, General Practice Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
| | - John Brandt Brodersen
- The Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Research Unit for General Practice in Region Zealand, Denmark
- Department of Community Medicine, General Practice Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
| | - Alexandra Brandt Ryborg Jønsson
- The Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Community Medicine, General Practice Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
- Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University, Denmark
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de Chiffre JMD, Ormstrup TE, Kusk MW, Hess S. Patients from general practice with non-specific cancer symptoms: a retrospective study of symptoms and imaging. BJGP Open 2024:BJGPO.2023.0058. [PMID: 37604580 DOI: 10.3399/bjgpo.2023.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with non-specific symptoms or signs of cancer (NSSC) present a challenge as they are a heterogeneous population who are not candidates for fast-track work-up in an organ-specific cancer pre-planned pathway (CPP). Denmark has a cancer pre-planned pathway for this population (NSSC-CPP), but several issues remain unclarified, for example, distribution and significance of symptoms and findings, and choice of imaging. AIM To investigate symptoms, cancer diagnoses, and diagnostic yield of computed tomography (CT) and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in patients on NSSC-CPP to improve the overall diagnostic process. DESIGN & SETTING A retrospective medical chart review in a 1-year consecutive cohort (2020). METHOD A total of 802 referrals were reviewed for diagnostic imaging in patients with NSSP from general practices, specialist practices, or the local hospital diagnostic centre responsible for NSSC-CPP. RESULTS The study included 248 patients; 21% had cancer, most frequently gastrointestinal cancer (27%). The most frequent symptom was weight loss (56%). CT had a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 87%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 65%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 96%. For 18F-FDG-PET/CT, the numbers were sensitivity 82%, specificity 62%, PPV 33%, and NPV 94%. Patients frequently underwent subsequent examinations following initial imaging. CONCLUSION The findings were in accordance with the literature. Patients with NSSC had a cancer prevalence of 21%, most frequently gastrointestinal. The most frequent symptom was weight loss and, even as the only symptom, it is a potential marker for cancer. CT and 18F-FDG-PET/CT were sensitive with high NPV, whereas PPV was superior in CT. Better stratification by symptoms or findings is an obvious focus point for future studies to further optimise the NSSC-CPP work-up strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Michele Dorph de Chiffre
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Tina Elisabeth Ormstrup
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Martin Weber Kusk
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
- IRIS - Imaging Research Initiative Southwest, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
- Radiography & Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Søren Hess
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
- IRIS - Imaging Research Initiative Southwest, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Lauridsen GB, Jarbøl DE, Thye-Rønn P, Rasmussen S, Balasubramaniam K, Lykkegaard J. Exploring GPs' assessments of their patients' cancer diagnostic processes: a questionnaire study. Br J Gen Pract 2023; 73:e941-e948. [PMID: 37903641 PMCID: PMC10633666 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2022.0651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most cancer diagnostic pathways start from primary care and several factors affect the diagnostic processes. AIM To analyse the associations between patient characteristics, symptom presentation, and cancer type and the GP's assessment of the diagnostic processes. DESIGN AND SETTING General practices in the North, Central, and Southern regions of Denmark were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey. METHOD Participating GPs received a list of patients with incident cases of cancer in the period between 1 March 2019 and 28 February 2021 based on administrative hospital data. A questionnaire was completed for each patient, addressing symptom presentation and the GP's assessment of the diagnostic process both overall and in four subcategories (the patient's role, the GP's role, the transition between primary and secondary care, and the secondary sector's role). RESULTS A total of 187 general practices informed on 8240 patients. For 5868 patients, diagnostic pathways started in general practice. Almost half (48.3%, 2837/5868) presented with specific cancer symptoms. GPs assessed 55.6% (3263) and 32.3% (1897) of the diagnostic processes as 'very good' and 'predominantly good', respectively; 11.9% (700) were 'predominantly poor' or 'very poor' for these 5868 patients. Long symptom duration of ≥2 months prior to GP contact and presenting with non-specific or a combination of non-specific and specific symptoms were associated with a poor overall assessment of the diagnostic process. Assessment in the four subcategories showed that the patient's role was assessed less positively than the other three categories. CONCLUSION A longer symptom duration and presenting without cancer-specific symptoms were associated with GPs assessing the diagnostic process as poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitte Bruun Lauridsen
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
| | - Dorte Ejg Jarbøl
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
| | - Peter Thye-Rønn
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, and Diagnostic Center, Svendborg Hospital, Svendborg
| | - Sanne Rasmussen
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
| | | | - Jesper Lykkegaard
- Department of Public Health and Audit Project Odense, Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
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Wearable smart devices in cancer diagnosis and remote clinical trial monitoring: Transforming the healthcare applications. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103314. [PMID: 35798227 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
During the past two decades, the era of digitalization in pharmaceutical device manufacturing has gained significant momentum for maintaining human health. From various available technologies, internet of things (IoT) sensors are being increasingly used as wearable devices (e.g., smart watches, wrist bands, mobile phones, tablets, implantable pumps, etc.) that enable real-time monitoring of data. Such devices are integrated with smart materials that typically monitor the real-time data (blood pressure, blood sugar, heart and pulse rate, cytokine levels, etc.) to advise patients and physicians. Hence, there has been a great demand for wearable devices as potential tools for remote clinical trial monitoring in cancers and other diseases and they are proving to be very cost-effective.
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OPAK YÜCEL B, IRMAK B, BAYRAKTAR M, KARADAĞ M. Cerrahi Onkoloji Kliniğinde Yatan Yetişkin Hastaların Ameliyat Sonrası Dönemde Destekleyici Bakım Gereksinimlerinin Belirlenmesi. İSTANBUL GELIŞIM ÜNIVERSITESI SAĞLIK BILIMLERI DERGISI 2022. [DOI: 10.38079/igusabder.983369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Nielsen AH, Fredberg U. Earlier diagnosis of lung cancer. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2022; 31:100561. [PMID: 35489228 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to review options for more rapid diagnosis of lung cancer at an earlier stage, thereby improving survival. These options include screening, allowing general practitioners to refer patients directly to low-dose computed tomography scan instead of a chest X-ray and the abolition of the "visitation filter", i.e. hospital doctors' ability to reject referrals from general practitioners without prior discussion with the referring doctor.
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Damhus CS, Siersma V, Birkmose AR, Dalton SO, Brodersen J. Use and diagnostic outcomes of cancer patient pathways in Denmark - is the place of initial diagnostic work-up an important factor? BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:130. [PMID: 35101051 PMCID: PMC8802524 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07545-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Cancer Patient Pathway for Non-specific Symptoms and Signs of Cancer (NSSC-CPP) has been implemented in Denmark with regional and intra-regional differences. In some places, the initial diagnostic work-up (often including a CT scan) is performed by general practitioners (GPs) and in others by hospitals. Variations may influence the use of Organ Specific Cancer Patient Pathways (OS-CPPs) and prognostic outcomes for the patients. Therefore, the aims were: 1) To analyse how a CT scan referred from GP or hospital is followed by OS-CPPs and NSSC-CPPs at the national and regional level, and 2) To analyse, nationally and regionally, the diagnostic outcomes of persons referred to CT scan by either GP or hospital six months after and mortality one year after CT scan. Methods A nationwide population-based study including individuals with a first CT scan in 2013-2016, either referred from GP or hospital. Results Overall, individuals with a CT scan referred from GPs were more likely to start a NSSC-CPP or an OS-CPP than individuals with a CT scan referred by hospitals. Across the five Regions in Denmark, CT scans referred by GPs were associated with reduced odds of total mortality in all regions; (North, OR=0.78 [0.73 0.83], Central, OR=0.92 [0.87 0.96], South, OR=0.85 [0.81 0.89], Capital, OR=0.96 [0.91 1.00] and Zealand, OR=0.85 [0.79 0.90]) and increased odds of cancer-specific mortality in four regions, ORs ranging from 1.15-1.51 with no difference in Region North (1.00 [0.91 1.10]). Conclusion No obvious association between more CT scans and CPPs and reduced diagnoses and mortality was observed. The different diagnostic models might not explain the prognostic outcomes, but the different use of CT scans in, and between Regions play a large role in the differences in incidence and mortality. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-07545-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Sadolin Damhus
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Primary & eHealth Care, Region Zealand, Alléen 15, 4180, Sorø, Denmark. .,Survivorship & Inequality in Cancer, the Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Volkert Siersma
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Rubach Birkmose
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton
- Survivorship & Inequality in Cancer, the Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Oncology & Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Ringstedgade 61, 4700, Næstved, Denmark
| | - John Brodersen
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Primary & eHealth Care, Region Zealand, Alléen 15, 4180, Sorø, Denmark
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