Cancer Symptoms: A False Alarm Shouldn't Discourage Patients From Future Help

In 2015, there will be an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 589,430 cancer deaths in the United States, alone. Statistics from Cancer Research UK also show that more than 331,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2011 in the United Kindgom.  

A lump may be the first sign of a potential tumor. However, there are oftentimes false alarms that are related to benign masses.

Recent findings published in BMJ Open show that more than 80 percent of patients with potential cancer symptoms are given the all-clear following a health investigation. However, having a false alarm was also found to discourage many people from seeking help in the future event of a symptom.

Researchers at the Health Behaviour Research Centre at UCL (University College London) carried out a review funded by Cancer Research UK of 19 UK and international studies.

Findings revealed that many patients may delay seeking help for new or recurrent symptoms if they have received a false alarm. Oftentimes, this may make them feel ‘over-assured' about their health.

"Patients who go to their GP with symptoms are obviously relieved to find out that they don't have cancer. But, as our review showed, it's important that they don't have a false sense of security and understand they should still seek help if they notice new or recurrent symptoms. Having an all-clear now doesn't guarantee that you won't develop cancer in the future," noted lead study author Dr. Cristina Renzi, a Cancer Research UK health expert, in a news release. "It also appears to be important that patients are given the right support and information during and after cancer investigations so that, following a false alarm, they will still feel encouraged to get any new symptoms checked out quickly."

Researchers believe that providing accurate and balanced information for patients with false alarms can increase the chances of them getting help in the future. Early cancer symptoms that go undetected can sometimes lead to an increased risk of metastasized cells.

"It's vitally important that anyone with possible cancer symptoms gets them checked out as soon as possible, and that includes people who have had a false alarm in the past. You're not wasting your doctor's time and may well save time in the long run - most cancers are picked up after patients seek help about symptoms and acting promptly on these can mean treatments are simpler and more effective," added Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of early diagnosis at the center. "More research is needed into the best ways to ensure patients are never discouraged from talking to their GP about symptoms, even after receiving an all-clear."

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