Some 3,000 invasive cancers are diagnosed every year in Emergency Departments (EDs), and most of these are already at an advanced stage, new research has revealed.

According to the findings, three in four cancers diagnosed in EDs are already advanced, which often means reduced treatment options and an increased risk of death.

The research was carried out by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society (ICS). It found that of the 22,000 invasive cancers diagnosed every year in Ireland, 3,000 are diagnosed as emergencies, a figure described as ‘worrying' by the ICS.

"Some 14% of cancers diagnosed in Ireland between 2010 and 2015 were emergency presentations through hospitals, and the overwhelming majority of these were at a late stage.

"By the time a patient arrives in an ED, they are probably not only presenting with acute symptoms, but wracked with worry and fearful about what happens next. Unfortunately, a late diagnosis often means fewer treatment options are available and a reduced chance of survival," commented ICS head of services and advocacy, Donal Buggy.

The research found that patients from the most disadvantaged communities are 50% more likely to be diagnosed via an emergency presentation compared to those from more affluent communities.

It also found that people over the age of 65 were much more likely to present as an emergency.

According to Mr Buggy, this highlights the ‘stark inequalities' when it comes to cancer in Ireland.

"Unfortunately, if you are older or from a deprived area, you are far more likely to be diagnosed as an emergency, and there is a strong chance that your cancer is already at a late stage," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, the research also found that certain cancers had an especially high proportion of emergency presentations, including pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, brain/central nervous system cancer, leukaemia, lung cancer and ovarian cancer.

In response to this, the ICS has proposed a number of actions aimed at tackling this issue and improving outcomes for patients. These include:
-Direct access to diagnostics for GPs at secondary care level
-Reduced public waiting times for access to diagnostic tests for cancer
-The development of diagnostics in primary and community care settings
-Targeted public awareness campaigns on the signs and symptoms of cancer
-The development of a rapid access pathway to treatment for people diagnosed in an emergency
-Further research to better understand the causes of emergency presentations.

"The National Cancer Strategy 2017 - 2026 aims to reduce the proportion of cancers diagnosed in EDs by 50% by 2026. If our actions are adopted, they will go some way to achieving this target and, ultimately, save lives."

"Our proposals are far reaching and will inform a number of targets in the National Cancer Strategy, including a reduction in cancer inequalities. We're calling on the National Cancer Control Programme and Department of Health to take up these actions, which set clear targets that will support implementation of the strategy," Mr Buggy said.

Commenting on the findings, NCRI director, Prof Kerri Clough-Gorr, noted that this is the first time this data has been available in Ireland.

"We will continue to monitor these figures in our annual reports into the future. Nobody wants a cancer patient diagnosed as an emergency. A diagnosis in an ED presents huge challenges for patients, and means higher costs for the health system.

"Thankfully, some progress has already been made and the proportion of cancers being diagnosed via emergency presentations fell sharply from 20% in 2005 to 14% in 2009, but there has been little change since then," she noted.