Extended Diagnostic Delays for Children and Young People with Cancer Revealed by New Study

A recent study led by researchers from the University of Nottingham has highlighted concerning delays in diagnosing cancer among children and young people. The research, published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe, focused on understanding the journey from symptom onset to confirmed diagnosis in this vulnerable population. The study examined data from 1,957 children and adolescents aged 0–18 diagnosed with cancer in the UK between September 2020 and March 2023.

The findings reveal that while demographic factors such as ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status do not significantly influence the time to diagnosis, certain tumor types and age groups are associated with longer diagnostic intervals. For instance, teenagers aged 15–18 experienced the longest median delay of 8.7 weeks, whereas infants under one year were diagnosed more swiftly, typically within 3.7 weeks. Among different cancers, bone tumors had the longest median diagnostic time of 12.6 weeks, while kidney tumors were diagnosed more quickly, averaging 2.3 weeks.

The study also observed that most children (74%) were diagnosed after one to three healthcare visits, with a substantial two-thirds (67%) being diagnosed in emergency settings. Children presenting with tumors such as Langerhans cell histiocytosis, bone tumors, soft tissue tumors, and brain tumors often required more visits before diagnosis.

These findings indicate that although healthcare access appears equitable across different demographic groups, certain cancer types and age groups face prolonged diagnostic journeys. The researchers emphasize that early diagnosis is critical to improve treatment outcomes, as untreated tumors tend to grow and spread more aggressively.

The study's insights aim to guide targeted efforts to reduce diagnostic delays, especially for adolescents and specific tumor types, aligning with campaigns like Child Cancer Smart led by the Children & Young People's Cancer Association (CCLG). The goal is to increase awareness among healthcare professionals and the public, fostering earlier detection and intervention.

Dr. Shanmugavadivel, one of the lead authors, has been appointed vice chair of the Children and Young People Taskforce at the Department of Health and Social Care. The taskforce aims to develop strategies to enhance cancer detection, treatment, and research, contributing to the UK’s National Cancer Plan. As Dr. Shanmugavadivel notes, leveraging this data will be vital in shaping policies that ensure faster diagnoses and improved survival rates for young cancer patients.

Source: Medical Xpress