For the first time, GPs will be issued with checklists of symptoms to help them spot cancer, in order to prevent at least half of the needless deaths. Experts have warned that the delay by NHS in diagnosing and treating cancer is costing up to 10,000 lives per year.
Doctors will be told to fast-track patients with signs, such as tiredness or unexplained bruises for urgent tests within 48 hours.
The new advice from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has come amongst worry that Britain has one of the lowest cancer survival rates in Western Europe.
