Weight loss in people over 60 could be a sign of cancer, a new study has shown.
The research by Oxford University found that losing weight is an important symptom of cancer and it has been linked to at least 10 types of the disease. People over 60 with unexplained weight loss should be sent for urgent tests. Men with unintended weight loss had a 14.2 per cent risk of cancer and women of the same age were found to have a 6.7 per cent risk.
Men had a higher risk rate because weight loss was closely linked to prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in men.
Lead author Dr Brian Nicholson, of the University of Oxford, said: “Streamlined services that allow GPs to investigate non-specific symptoms like weight loss are vitally important and urgently needed if we are to catch cancer earlier and save lives.”
More research was needed to establish what amount of weight loss should be a cause for concern. “Our research indicates that coordinated investigation across multiple body sites could help to speed up cancer diagnosis in patients with weight loss,” he said.
“We now need to continue our research to understand the most appropriate combination of tests and to give guidance on how much weight loss GPs and patients should worry about.”
These findings come just days after NHS England piloted one-stop shops for cancer diagnosis. Ten areas are piloting this cancer diagnostic and assessment centres, which will provide patients with tests for different types of cancer during a single visit.
Under this programme, GPs in the pilot areas will be able to refer people with vague, non-specific symptoms who they think may have cancer.
This new system is a joint initative between NHS England, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan.
Cally Palmer, NHS England's national director for cancer, said: "Early diagnosis is crucial to saving lives and providing peace of mind for patients, which is why we are driving forward plans to revolutionise our approach to cancer in this country. These new one stop shops represent a real step change in the way people with unclear symptoms are identified, diagnosed and treated."
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