Fast-track, rapid-access pathways for the diagnosis of gynaecological cancers

Stage at diagnosis is one of the key factors determining survival rates of gynaecological cancers. Rapid access pathways were developed in the UK nearly two decades ago, aimed at diagnosing cancers at an earlier stage. Also known as cancer pathways, these consist of standardised referral methods to specialist clinics, where patients undergo diagnostic investigations, receive results and commence treatment swiftly. National cancer waiting time targets exist in conjunction with these pathways and have evolved in recent years to place an emphasis on confirming or excluding cancer within shorter timeframes. In this article we shall consider these UK-based pathways and targets in more detail, along with the challenges hospital trusts face in meeting them. We shall also outline the investigations required to diagnose the four most common gynaecological cancers - uterine, ovarian, cervical and vulval.