Referring patients with suspected oral cancer to dentists may delay diagnosis, say GPs

National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance that GPs should refer patients suspected of having oral cancer to a dentist may delay diagnosis, researchers have warned.1

The guidelines state that patients with a lump on their lip or in their oral cavity or who have a red or red and white patch in their oral cavity should be sent for assessment for possible oral cancer by a dentist within two weeks of seeing their GP.2

If GPs follow the guidance then the emphasis …