The Primary Care Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (RAT)
As part of NCAT’s Supporting Primary Care project, Thames Valley Cancer Network is providing local workshops for GPs and practice staff on the new RAT!
Developed from work carried out by Professor Willie Hamilton, the easy-to-navigate ‘RAT’ acts as a prompt to GPs, practice staff and Community Health Professionals when a patient over 40 years old presents with a symptom or combination of symptoms that could be lung or bowel cancer.
The desktop risk assessment tool (RAT) is designed to help GPs and other health professionals easily identify key signs and symptoms of these common cancers, printed on a mouse mat or desk easel for ease of access.
The RAT consists of three tables (colorectal cancer, lung cancer for non-smokers and lung cancer for smokers) containing the risk values for each symptom in isolation, for repeat attendances at the GP with the same symptom and in combination with one other symptom.
Workshops
Who should attend?
GPs, Practice Nurses, Community Nurses and Practice Managers
At the workshops, attendees will get:
More information on GP Practice Cancer Profiles,
- learn what they are in your area
- how to access them
- how they can help inform clinical practice and
- offer an understanding of service delivery in cancer, particularly, early diagnosis.
Plus, pick up free desktop resources and a certificate of attendance.
For more information, please contact jenny.jones@tvcn.nhs.uk.
The tool was piloted in seven cancer networks by 614 GPs over six months in 2011 and was used in 2,600 consultations.
Risk Assessment Tool FAQs
You can read more on the NCAT website
Page last edited: 10 February 2012
