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  2. Optimal cancer diagnostic pathways
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  4. Rapid cancer diagnostic services (RCDSs)
  5. Data and impact

Positive data continues to emerge from Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDSs) showing they provide an effective model for delivering fast and patient-focused diagnostic pathways for patients with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer.

Public Health Scotland published the first RCDS Annual Report in December 2025. The report can be found here.

Main points from the report show, that in 2024, across the 5 RCDSs in operation at the time:

3,434 patients were referred:

  • Following clinical triage,
    • 2,704 (78.7%) were accepted
    • 389 (11.3%) were declined
    • 341 (9.9%) redirected to more appropriate services.

Patient demographics (all referrals): 

  • Female (56.6%) / male (43.4%) 
  • Median age 68 (73.5 among those diagnosed with cancer) 
  • 25.2% live in the most deprived areas, compared to 13.1% in the least deprived  
  • Five most common presenting symptoms:
    • Unexplained weight loss (73.4%)
    • New unexplained pain (7.4%)
    • Severe unexplained fatigue (5.9%)
    • Other (5.6%), and
    • New unexplained laboratory results (3.5%). 

2,389 patients completed the pathway: 

  • 222 were diagnosed with cancer (9.3% conversion rate)
  • Most frequently diagnosed cancers:
    • Lung (20.7%)
    • Lymphoma (12.2%), and
    • Colorectal (10.8%)
  • For those diagnosed with cancer, median time from referral to cancer diagnosis was 15 days (mean: 21.6; IQR: 10–31.8 days).

​RCDSs continue to receive positive patient feedback, a number of patient experience quotes from across NHS Scotland's RCDSs can be found here. These highlight the quality of care RCDS Teams provide and their contributions to earlier cancer diagnosis efforts.

RCDS patient example quote:

“I was referred to the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service. I was triaged by an exceptionally caring and experienced advanced nurse specialist, who guided me through the next steps and coordinated all my assessments and follow-up with professional knowledge and importantly kindness.  Investigations were manged by exceptional staff, all not only had professional knowledge and experience but cared about my concerns and comfort."