NEWS that North Wales is to get three rapid diagnostic cancer clinics this year has been welcomed.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS Mabon ap Gwynfor, whose father has cancer, has been part of a campaign for such sites since 2019.

“Thousands of people supported this campaign, and we put constant pressure on the government and the health board to take action,” Mr ap Gwynfor told the Cambrian News.

“Because of your support, the government and the health board have confirmed that rapid diagnostic clinics will be introduced.”

According to figures obtained by the campaign, cancer kills more people in Gwynedd than anything else, with 28 per cent of deaths in the county due to cancer in 2018. In some areas, such as Dolgellau, the figure was 41 per cent.

“Early diagnosis is central to seeking recovery,” Mr ap Gwynfor added.

“We set up this campaign to establish a rapid diagnostic centre in Gwynedd two-and-a-half years ago. We know that the earlier the diagnosis the better the chances of having a positive outcome is, so this could play a key part in our fight against this terrible disease which continues to kill more people in Gwynedd than any other illness.

“It’s excellent news, and I look forward to seeing the development improve the outcomes of cancer patients here.

“However, Wales is the only country in the UK without a cancer strategy, something that the World health Organisation says every country must have. I have called on the government to develop such a strategy, and will continue to work with others to push for this.”

Rapid diagnostic clinics will see the creation of half-day weekly clinics to assess patients who have presented with vague symptoms - also called unspecified or worrying symptoms - and the GP is concerned that there is a reasonable risk of cancer.

The aim is for each patient to leave the clinic with either a cancer diagnosis, a serious non-cancer diagnosis or an assurance of a non-serious diagnosis. They will also have a management plan, where appropriate.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said three clinics will be introduced at its three acute sites - Ysbyty Gwynedd, Glan Clwyd and Wrexham.

Such clinics are needed because currently, approximately 50 per cent of patients who are diagnosed with cancer present with vague symptoms, the health board said.

Common ‘vague’ symptoms include weight loss, appetite loss, non-specific abdominal pain, fatigue and are not the ‘red flag’ symptoms for the site-specific pathways. Some patients may have non-specific abnormalities on blood tests such as abnormal liver function or thrombocytosis.

Rapid diagnostic clinics have been piloted. There were two successful pilots in South Wales, conducted by Swansea Bay UHB and Cwm Tâf UHB. It is a concept that is supported by the Wales Cancer Network.

There are a number of similar projects across England, and many are now embedded as normal care

Referrals are only accepted if the GP is worried there is a risk of cancer and the patient’s presenting symptoms and/or signs do not allow referral along a current site-specific pathway.

Patients will need to have had a full history and examination in general practice.