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The latest findings from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2022 by QualityWatch, a joint programme with the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation shed light on concerning disparities faced by ethnic minority communities in the UK healthcare system. Despite strides in cancer care, the survey highlights persistent challenges in easy and equitable access to timely diagnosis and quality communication, particularly for individuals from Mixed, Black, or Asian backgrounds. Key insights from the survey underscored that individuals from ethnic minority groups often require a higher number of interactions with healthcare professionals before receiving a cancer diagnosis. Notably, one in three people from Mixed, Black, or Asian ethnicities needed three or more visits to a GP practice, compared to the average of one in five across the population. These delays in diagnosis can have significant implications for treatment outcomes and overall patient experience. Moreover, the survey revealed concerning trends regarding the quality of communication following a cancer diagnosis among ethnic minority patients.

As the population continues to age, the number of dementia cases in the UK could increase to rise to 1.5 million by 2040, a new study has predicted. The study report from Future Health also cautioned that over half a million people with dementia could remain undiagnosed by 2040, representing an increase of nearly a quarter of a million compared to the current figure, if there is "no progress in improving diagnosis rates." At present, approximately 850,000 individuals in the UK are living with dementia, with an estimated 315,000 cases going undiagnosed. Sponsored by Lilly, the study also highlighted significant variations in diagnosis rates across the four nations. Despite improvements, England's dementia diagnosis rate stands at 64.6 per cent, falling short of the two-thirds target.

The latest NHS data showed that 487,432 individuals in England were diagnosed with dementia in June, the highest since the start of the pandemic. Although dementia diagnosis rates have reached 65 per cent, the NHS still aims to meet its target of diagnosing 66.7 per cent of the estimated total number of people living with a form of the disease. NHS stated that their staff across the country are actively assessing care home residents to identify more individuals who may have dementia. Dr. Jeremy Isaacs, National Clinical Director for Dementia at NHS England, praised the efforts of NHS staff in increasing diagnosis rates but acknowledged that more work is needed. "Getting a diagnosis of dementia is the first step in supporting people, with a wide range of NHS services able to help.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver condition that requires timely diagnosis. It involves a spectrum of liver conditions ranging from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to fibrosis and can eventually evolve into cirrhosis. Over the years, liver biopsy has been the popular diagnostic procedure for NASH/NAFLD. However, considering the progressive nature of NAFLD, sole reliance on liver biopsy procedures does not only lack feasibility but is also susceptible to suboptimal standardization. Going through liver biopsy surgery is unnecessary at the slightest observation of NAFLD symptoms. Observing NASH/NAFLD red flags is not enough to determine the presence of the disease. You will need a proper diagnosis to ascertain the liver condition. This article emphasizes the benefits of choosing the non-invasive liver test diagnostic procedure instead of the invasive method. UNDERSTANDING NASH/NAFLD Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is one of two types: simple fatty liver or NAFL and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Simple fatty liver or NAFL indicates the presence of fat in the liver. NASH is the least common and clinically aggressive variant of NAFLD.

Types of CP Associated With Muscle Tone Cerebral palsy comes in several types, which may be associated with muscle tone or specific body parts. Those associated with muscle tone include: spastic CP, where abnormally high muscle tone causes problems with movement, usually in the legs and hips; ataxia, which is marked by involuntary muscle movements; athetoid, which prevents sufferers from maintaining a fixed muscle position (for example, grasping and holding); and mixed, where symptoms of both spastic and athetoid CP occur. Cerebral Palsy: Hope Through Research: Detailed information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, including facts on the causes, risk factors, warning signs, and types of CP. Definitions and Accommodations for Cerebral Palsy: Information on the types of CP and how to accommodate and interact with severe sufferers. From Kentucky's Office for the Americans With Disabilities Act. United Cerebral Palsy Association: Nonprofit organization that offers a nationwide network of affiliates aimed at expanding the rights, freedoms, and opportunities of those with cerebral palsy. Health Encyclopedia: Cerebral Palsy: Facts on the types, causes, prevalence, and accommodations related to cerebral palsy. Provided by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Cost of Cerebral Palsy: Information on the human and economic impact of cerebral palsy, presented in the form of an academic report composed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Types of CP Associated With Body Parts Certain types of cerebral palsy are associated with specific body parts rather than with the general condition of the muscular system. These types include: quadriplegia, in which all four limbs suffer severe motor dysfunction and a general inability to work together; hemiplegia, in which the limbs on one side of the body are severely affected, with the impact more pronounced in the digits; and diplegia, which causes problems with mus

A £5m project has been launched to introduce new blood tests in the National Health Service (NHS) that can diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The blood tests could be available on the NHS within five years and they can diagnose the disease earlier and more accurately than current methods, experts have said. Alzheimer's Research UK, the Alzheimer's Society and the National Institute of Health and Care Research have jointly launched the project. Susan Kohlhaas, Executive Director of Research and Partnerships at Alzheimer's Research UK, said that the NHS doesn't possess the "required levels of diagnostic infrastructure" to cope with the "growing demand" for dementia diagnosis. "Low-cost tools like blood tests that are non-invasive and simpler to administer than current gold standard methods are the answer to this," she added.

Within 24 hours of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton's, cancer diagnosis, National Health Service (NHS) England saw a 373% spike in visits to its cancer page, highlighting the growing focus on cancer awareness. Similarly, charities like Macmillan Cancer Support charity experienced increased traffic, with nearly 100,000 visits to their support pages since the announcement. Traffic to the NHS website's cancer symptoms page surged significantly, recording a remarkable 4,172 visits within three hours of the release of the Princess's video message. This sudden increase translated to an average of one visit every three seconds, a substantial rise from the 1,922 visits recorded during the same timeframe a week earlier. Notably, visits to the symptoms page peaked immediately after the announcement, with 1,678 visits recorded between 6 pm and 7 pm on the day of the announcement.

The NHS has started using a new digital test to accelerate the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, following successful trials by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). In July 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued draft guidance approving the use of QbTest by psychiatrists and specialist children's doctors to aid in ADHD diagnoses. This computerised test, which complements existing diagnostic methods, is expected to both improve assessment accuracy and save the NHS money. It is estimated that ADHD affects 3-5 per cent of school-age children, who show symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Professor Richard Morriss, NIHR ARC East Midlands Mental Health and Well-being Theme Lead, expressed concern that there has been a fourfold increase in ADHD referrals since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hi friends, today I'll post a brief review on the hormonal assays used for the diagnosis of pregnancy.The hormonal assays that can be used for pregnancy diagnosis are HCG[human chorionic gonadotrophin],progesterone & early pregnancy

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United Kingdom, affecting nearly 50,000 men yearly. Combined with the challenges faced across healthcare during COVID-19, new figures show that prostate cancer accounts for a third of cancers not treated due to the pandemic, with 14,000 'missing patients' believed to have not undergone treatment since April 2020. It is more urgent than ever that men are encouraged to get checked, as any set-backs in diagnosis can reduce the pathways available, in turn affecting health outcomes. Community pharmacy teams play a crucial role in signposting the help available for men who may be concerned about their health. Therefore, it is vital that pharmacy teams have access to the information they need to correctly direct men to seek prostate cancer guidance. By maximising the trusted relationship between patients and their pharmacists, more can be done to identify the warning signs, helping men to get an earlier diagnosis.

More cancers are being detected earlier in England, thanks to a major drive by the NHS encouraging people, particularly those at higher risk due to hereditary or lifestyle factors, to come forward for potentially life-saving screenings. According to a new NHS analysis, early cancer diagnosis in England has reached its highest level ever. The NHS data of the most common cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung cancer, shows that almost three in five patients are now being diagnosed at stages one or two, when the cancer is more treatable. More than 58 per cent of all common cancers (206,038) diagnosed between September 2023 and August 2024 were identified at an early stage. This marks a 2.7 percentage point improvement compared to pre-pandemic levels, equating to an estimated 7,000 more patients being diagnosed at an early stage. The NHS has introduced initiatives like the Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) and Liver Health Programmes to detect cancers earlier.

COPD consists of multiple lung infections and is considered incurable by most physicians. Can timely diagnosis, on the bright side, slow down its progress?

COPD consists of multiple lung infections and is considered incurable by most physicians. Can timely diagnosis, on the bright side, slow down its progress?

COPD consists of multiple lung infections and is considered incurable by most physicians. Can timely diagnosis, on the bright side, slow down its progress?

A Nottingham-based pharmacist has been struck off the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) register for bringing "the profession into to disrepute" by stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds in a bid to settle his gambling debt. Peter Sameh Saad (33) spun a web of lies and duped a friend out of more than half a million pounds to fund his addiction and pretended he had "serious if not terminal" testicular cancer. "It is difficult to imagine a more heinous fraud than one predicated on feigning a cancer diagnosis", a GPC panel ruled. Saad committed three frauds on a total of £536,689.95 between September 2018 and May 2019. First, he tricked a friend, whom he knew through his local church, into sending him around £288,200 by claiming that his newly-purchased pharmacy in US was "seized" by the authorities over visa issues and that he "had some difficulty making the mortgage payments". Later Saad conned the same friend, named only as 'Person A' in court documents, into sending him a total of £127,150 by lying about a non-existent cancer diagnosis and private treatment. Finally, he extracted a further £121,339.95 from an investments and credit group (named Company A) of which his friend was chief executive after inviting him to set up a 'pharmaceutical warehouse', a plan that "impressed Person A and he agreed to invest in the business."

An autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, interact with others, and process information. There is no one-size-fits-all for people with ASD, as each experiences symptoms differently. While some people with ASD may be nonverbal, others may speak fluently but have difficulty with social interaction. Most people with ASD need specialized educational and behavioral intervention early. There is no medical cure for ASD, but treatments and therapies can improve symptoms and help people with ASD lead fulfilling lives. If you or your child has just been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it's normal to feel a range of emotions. You may feel relieved to finally have a diagnosis and explanation for your or your child's symptoms. Or you may feel overwhelmed, worried, or even angry about the diagnosis.

NHS England and NHS Improvement published on May 26 the findings of the Fuller 'stocktake' - setting out how primary care can work with partners across health and care to best meet the needs of their local communities. Dr Claire Fuller's report lays emphasis on the essential role of primary care and the potential of integrated neighbourhood teams in reducing the burden of ill health and tackling health inequities. It commends community pharmacy for keeping "its doors open to the public throughout" the pandemic whilst being "among the most recognisable of a multitude of dedicated staff delivering care around the clock in every neighbourhood in the country". The report highlights "recruitment and retention challenges across the wider primary care workforce" including in community pharmacy. Stressing the importance of community pharmacy teams in urgent care and prevention, including early diagnosis of cancers, the report points out that pharmacists could play "a more active role in signposting eligible people to screening and supporting early diagnosis, building on a number of successful pilots such as those from the Accelerate, Coordinate, Evaluate (ACE) programme".

Health Education England (HEE) has developed funded training offers for community pharmacists, including locums aiming to become independent prescribers. Almost 3000 independent prescribing training places will be available to pharmacists from March 2023. This training enables pharmacists to support patients from diagnosis to prescribing, and to provide advice and follow-up - while also helping them to feel confident and prepared for the new challenges of their role. Courses will be available between April 2023 and March 2024, with several universities offering multiple dates for cohort intakes. Start dates will depend on the university provider. Training will enable the provision of new models of care: supporting patients from diagnosis to prescribing, providing advice and follow-up, and preparing pharmacists to provide clinical care, as pharmacy services become more widespread within emerging clinical pathways.

The Health and Social Care Secretary has announced over £175 million funding to boost genomics research in the UK. Through this funding, the government aims to create the most advanced genomic healthcare system in the world. "Patients with cancer and children born with treatable rare genetic diseases are set to benefit from earlier diagnosis and faster access to treatment, following a £175 million boost to cutting-edge genomics research announced by the Health and Social Care Secretary today (Tuesday)," said DHSC. The funding will enable research which could deliver world-leading genomic healthcare to patients, which involves the study of people's DNA. "£105 million to be funded to kickstart a world-leading research study, led by Genomics England in partnership with the NHS, to explore the effectiveness of using whole genome sequencing to find and treat rare genetic diseases in newborn babies," said DHSC. "An initial £26 million to support an innovative cancer programme, led by Genomics England in partnership with the NHS, to evaluate cutting-edge genomic sequencing technology to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis for cancer patients and use artificial intelligence to analyse a person's DNA, alongside other information such as routine scans.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on understanding and managing musculoskeletal pain. This type of discomfort, often arising from an injury to the body's muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves, can lead to significant functional impairment and reduced quality of life. In the following sections, we'll delve into the causes, diagnosis, and various treatment options for musculoskeletal pain, equipping you with the knowledge you need to manage and alleviate your symptoms effectively. Consult a Medical Professional While this guide offers a general understanding of musculoskeletal pain, it is critical to consult with a healthcare professional for any pain or discomfort you may be experiencing. Health practitioners can offer a proper diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan that considers your specific symptoms, condition, and overall health. For example, the best physical therapists can suggest a variety of exercises and stretches to help strengthen muscles and alleviate pain. Some pain may require surgery, while others can be managed with medication or physical therapy. Your medical provider will work with you to find the most effective treatment plan.

Find and compare hospitals for Atrial Septal Defect Closure. Learn more about signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and much more

Find and compare hospitals for Atrial Septal Defect Closure. Learn more about signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and much more