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Primary Care Network Bulletin
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DECEMBER 2025
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The GM-wide roll out of standardised codes and reporting for chest x-rays has allowed us to review patients and assess the numbers of CT scans and resulting lung cancer diagnoses in this cohort of patients. The addition of AI CXR analysis, in addition to a human read, has improved the sensitivity of detecting abnormalities such as lung cancer on chest x-ray’s.
Within the CX0 (no reportable concern) and CX1 (recommending follow up chest x-ray) groups, there is less than 2% detection rate of lung cancer in those referred on for CT scanning.
We have changed the standardised messaging on the CX0 and CX1 chest x-ray reports to reflect this and are in the process of updating the UCR form for Lung Cancer to reflect these new recommendations:
CX0: No findings suspicious for lung cancer – If symptoms persist beyond 6 weeks then further clinical assessment is recommended. Referral on UCR not recommended unless risk factors (listed below).
Factors that might raise concern at the clinical review: New haemoptysis, persistent unexplained symptoms, unexplained thrombocytosis, recent (last 6 months) increase in prescribing of antibiotics/steroid/inhalers. Cancer risk increases with age and smoking history.
Standardised phrase for CX1:
A follow-up chest X-ray is recommended in 6 weeks to ensure resolution. This does not require referral on the suspected lung cancer pathway unless there is significant clinical concern (e.g. haemoptysis).
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The Urgent Suspected Cancer Referral Patient Information Letter has been updated with minor revisions. The new version of this letter will be available on your GP system in the coming weeks. For a copy of the information letter, please click here.
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The GM Dermatology Transformation team has been working with the support of the GM Cancer Alliance to update the suspected cancer referral pathway within the new Dermatology Single Point of Access (SPoA) software, Gateway. The new form is now live in Gateway.
The team has been working closely with primary and secondary care colleagues to develop condition specific pathway questions for Gateway. There are now eleven condition specific pathway questions: Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, Alopecia, Hyperhidrosis, Actinic Keratoses, Rosacea, Pruritus, Urticaria, Blistering, Vitiligo.
The condition specific pathway questions have been designed to support primary care to send the minimum relevant clinical information to secondary care to allow clinicians to triage these referrals. They aim to be easy to use, support the patient being treated in the right place based on their condition and reduce the returns from secondary care.
If you have any questions or would like to join one of our lunchtime webinars please email the team at gmhscp.sustainableservices@nhs.net
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 For the latest 'This Van Can' cancer awareness roadshow schedule and resources to promote the van in your area, please click here.
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People with a cancer diagnosis receive a lot of support from their General Practitioners (GPs) and Primary Care Professionals (PCPs) and it is has been acknowledged that GPs and PCPs play a critical role in the ongoing management of cancer, its treatment, managing side effects and providing follow up and supportive care. It has also been reported that active engagement in treatment management, research and clinical trials from well informed GPs and PCPs can potentially improve patient outcomes, experience and ensure care continuity.
The information gathered from the survey will help The Christie Research team to inform research, education, and clinical care to improve patient outcomes. The survey will help to improve support for primary care for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Your responses will remain anonymous and The Christie Research Team thank you for taking the time to complete the questionnaire.
Please complete the survey here.
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Following November's Lunch and Learn webinar focusing on Neuro-Oncology, we thought it would be helpful to share the assessing fitness to drive guidance for neurological disorders. To view the guidance, please click here.
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For the latest updates in Personalised Care, including: Cancer Care Reviews Template Guidance, Think Well with Cancer - Talking Therapies, End of Treatment Summaries Coding Guidance, the Cancer Health and Wellbeing Hub and a Genomics Education Event, please click here.
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The Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance are pleased to announce a series of educational events aimed at primary care professionals, including general practice, pharmacy, clinical / medical and non-clinical. The remaining event will focus upon Head & Neck and Oesophageal Cancers and will be held on Wednesday 25th March, 12:00-16:30pm at Kings House Conference Centre, Sidney Street, Manchester, M1 7HB and includes a free lunch.
To register for the event, please click here.
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The next Lunch and Learn webinar is on Tuesday 9th December between 13:00-13:50pm focusing on Metastatic Breast Cancer and will be hosted by Sarah Taylor and Anne Armstrong.
Topics covered will include:
- The role of primary care
- Symptom recognition
- Interventions and eligibility
- Referral pathways and coordination
In response to feedback, we have made it easier to join the webinars and recipients of this bulletin will have received a Teams invitation. Please accept the invitation if you are attending.
The sessions will be an opportunity to ask questions of the hosts, and these can be sent in advance to: gmcancer.earlydiagnosis-primarycare@nhs.net. To view the previous Lunch and Learn webinars, please visit the GM Cancer Academy website here.
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Join GatewayC in partnership with FourteenFish on Tuesday 13th January 2026, 13:00-14:00pm for a free webinar covering the head and neck cancer essentials for primary care including the assessment of neck lumps, dysphagia, dysphonia and ear symptoms .
This webinar is aimed at all primary care professionals. To register for the webinar, please click here.
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The South East London Cancer Alliance, has collaborated with the Baked Bean Charity and the Guys Cancer Academy, to create a learning disabilities and cancer educational module.
This is a new training module designed to help healthcare professionals better support people with learning disabilities in accessing cancer care and screening services. The module supports the improvement of cancer risk mitigation, patient experience, early diagnosis and ultimately better outcomes for this patient population.
To view and complete the module, please click here.
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Read the latest Cancer Keys from GatewayC exploring why women never smokers are more likely to develop lung cancer, why it is still important to carry out a cancer care review, To view the articles and to sign up for Cancer Keys updates for your inbox, please see below:
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The Greater Manchester Cancer Academy and GatewayC provide free access to online education including talks on skin lesion recognition and dermoscopy, which can be helpful in diagnosing both benign skin lesions such as seborrhoeic keratosis and skin cancers. We are continuing to promote early detection of skin cancer and sun safety with a winter campaign.
A link to primary care education resources can be found here.
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Coming Soon
- Our next PCN Cancer Leads Call will take place on Tuesday 16th December, 13:00-13:30pm.
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