Fewer than half of all cancer cases are diagnosed through the urgent suspected cancer referral pathways. Rapid Diagnostic Centres (RDCs) are set up for patients who don’t necessarily fit the criteria for a referral onto a specific urgent suspected cancer referral pathway. They offer a diagnostic pathway for all patients with non-specific symptoms that could indicate cancer. See the Rapid Diagnostic Centres page for more details.

Advice and Guidance is promoted to access specialist support about clinical queries relating to patient care while working within primary care. This may be appropriate when you might have previously considered a referral.

The main point of access to advice and guidance is eRS advice and guidance