Diagnosis of cancer in general practice : a study of delay problems and warning signals of cancer, with implications for public cancer information and for cancerdiagnostic strategies in general practice

Abstract

Early diagnosis of cancer is beneficial to most cancer patients. This doctoral thesis is based on studies in general practice in Tromsø, Norway, during the years 1978-1985. General practitioners have a very important role in the work excluding or leading up to a cancer diagnosis. The studies deal with diagnostic delay, the value of symptoms, and with strategies for GP s to improve their cancer diagnostic work.