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GP delays leave patient with months to live
Emma Byron waited months for a GP appointment for a mouth ulcer before a cancer diagnosis changed her life.
Emma Byron waited for months for a GP appointment for a tongue ulcer and was later diagnosed with incurable cancer, highlighting gaps in primary care access.
GP delays leave patient with months to live
Emma Byron, a 45-year-old teacher from Rochester, Kent, developed a mouth ulcer in May 2023. Repeated online triage and phone requests did not flag the case as urgent, and she could not secure an appointment for several months. By late August she was seen, and a biopsy in early September confirmed cancer.
Key Takeaways
"I tried to get an appointment with my doctor, but it was rejected as non urgent"
Emma describes the GP triage experience
"Please, just go and see your doctor. Don’t put it off"
Emma urges others to seek care promptly
"An early diagnosis is absolutely essential with this type of cancer"
Emma on the importance of early detection
"Head and neck cancer is on the increase, and there is not a great deal of research into this area"
Emma on the state of research and awareness
The story shows how digital triage and busy clinics can intersect with serious symptoms. When urgent care is delayed, patients may lose precious time and options. This piece asks readers to consider how primary care systems balance access with workload, and what happens when that balance breaks down for conditions that progress quickly.
Highlights
- If a mouth sore won’t heal, see a doctor now
- Delays in care can change a life in months
- Early diagnosis saves lives
- Listen to warning signs before it is too late
Gaps in primary care raise public health concerns
The article highlights delays in GP access that can lead to late cancer diagnoses, risking public scrutiny and potential policy backlash.
Health systems must listen to patients before a life is on the line.
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