There has been an increase in the incidence rates of bowel cancer in the UK of 14% since the late 1970s. Survival for colorectal cancer in the UK is much lower than the European average, and it is our second biggest cancer killer; this is partly explained by later stage diagnosis. If patients are diagnosed early enough there's more than a 90% chance of successful treatment, but there has been no reduction in the proportion of acute presentations since the implementation of fast-track pathways more than 15 years ago.

This 30-minute e-learning module, developed by the UCLH Cancer Collaborative and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), addresses some of the difficult decision making processes that GPs face when presented with uncertainty around lower abdominal symptoms. It covers:

  • the presentation of colorectal cancer
  • an overview of the colorectal pathway, including NICE guidelines on fast-track referrals and next steps after referral
  • the reasons for late presentation
  • diagnostic and screening investigations for colorectal cancer

Completion of the course carries CPD courses for RCGP members.

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GPs and other professionals working in primary care. It is available to the RCGP’s 80,000 registered users.

Completion of the course contributes towards CPD.

This module is an e-learning course offered online through the RCGPLearning portal.

The module is available at: http://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/colorectal.

This module is an e-learning course offered online through the RCGPLearning portal.

The module is available at: http://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/colorectal.

This module is an e-learning course offered online through the RCGPLearning portal.

The module is available at: http://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/colorectal.

This module has been developed by the UCLH Cancer Collaborative and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). The RCGP is the UK’s leading academic body for general practice, with responsibility for setting the standards of GP training, CPD and revalidation.

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