The research found that some can see their GP three or more times
A third of patients who believe they have cancer, see their GPs twice or more before being referred to a specialist, a new report has found.
The study, the first of its kind on this scale, showed that 4 per cent of patients with cancer symptoms had to see their GP at least five times before they were referred on to specialist care.
The National Audit of Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, compiled by the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), found that one in five patients with cancers of the lung, ovary, pancreas and stomach had to go to their GP three times or more with symptoms.
Only 57 per cent of patients saw a specialist within two weeks of being referred - in line with Government targets - despite their doctor suspecting that they might have cancer.
Dr Clare Gerada, chair of the RCGP, said: "This report shows taht in General Practice we do a very good job of identifying our patients who have cancer, and in referring them quickly for specialist treatment.
"While there are groups of patients where we do, for various reasons, have difficulty in making a rapid diagnosis, we must be proud that the majority are being identified and put into secondary care quickly. As the same time, we must always be looking at how we can improve."