BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk// X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Variation in measures and markers of timeliness of diagnosis in ca ncer - Yoryos Lyratzopoulos\, Cancer Epidemiology &\; Cancer Research- UK DTSTART:20151116T191500Z DTEND:20151116T213000Z UID:TALK52416@talks.cam.ac.uk CONTACT:Peter Watson DESCRIPTION:Continuing reductions in cardiovascular disease mortality have brought about a new type of epidemiological transition\, characterised by increasing disease burden associated with cancer. In spite of many critic al breakthroughs in cancer treatment\, prognosis for advanced stage cancer remains poor for most cancers. Screening interventions with proven effica cy and cost-effectiveness remain stubbornly limited to few cancers (such a s bowel and cervical cancer) whilst debate about “over-treatment vs mort ality benefit” trade-offs bedevil breast and lung cancer screening. Thes e realisations have sharply focused attention to efforts to diagnose cance r as soon as symptoms present\, in the hope of diagnosing cancer at an ear lier stage. Nonetheless\, cancer symptoms (as at least understood currentl y) have low to very low specificity and predictive value. In this lecture I will summarise a range of epidemiological studies on variation in diagno stic intervals before and after presentation\, together with evidence on v ariation in markers of diagnostic timeliness (such as diagnosis through an emergency presentation or stage at diagnosis). These findings provide ins ights into the complex psychological factors associated with late help-see king for symptoms likely to be due to cancer\; and mechanisms likely to be responsible for delays in suspecting cancer after presentation. I will co nclude with recommendations for better targeting of policy initiatives and research that could help to bring about more timely diagnosis of cancer f or the greatest possible number of current and future cohorts of cancer pa tients. LOCATION:Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics\, Unive rsity of Cambidge END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR