Rapid referral guidelines for suspected cancer

Guides
Published: 18 Jan 2022
Next review: 18 Jan 2025
Edition: 2
The Rapid Referral Guidelines are a NICE endorsed summary of the guidelines for suspected cancer (NG12). They can help primary care professionals when referring patients for diagnostic tests.
View online
Published: 18 Jan 2022
Next review: 18 Jan 2025
Edition: 2
The Rapid Referral Guidelines are a NICE endorsed summary of the guidelines for suspected cancer (NG12). They can help primary care professionals when referring patients for diagnostic tests.

About these guidlines

Our rapid referral guidelines are designed to help you identify children, young people and adults with symptoms of suspected cancer. They can help you decide if a referral is:

 

- non-urgent – requires routine referral or tests

- urgent – required within two weeks

- very urgent – required within 48 hours.

 

The guidelines are endorsed by NICE and summarise the (NG12) guidelines for suspected cancer. They suggest what to look for in primary care, with referral recommendations and safety netting advice.

 

The NHS has specific Referral guidelines for Scotland.