Highlights

Don’t forget cancer. Behind the headlines, some patients had to stand aside as we focused on the pandemic. Research in this month’s journal reminds us about the risks of delay in referral for colorectal cancer, to think of cancer if we see a routine blood test showing microcytosis, and about shared decisions in patients with incurable cancer. William Hamilton, who has done so much to improve cancer diagnosis, reminds us in his editorial that a core skill of primary care is sometimes knowing when not to test.

Medicine has fostered some beautiful writing and many doctors are captivating authors. In reflecting on the death of her father, Mary Jane Boland has written a short piece that will resonate with so many. We share reflections in BJGPLife.com from medical colleagues around the world and, while we have been overwhelmed with eLetters this month we can, sadly, only publish a small sample in the paper journal. Finally, for those with other creative talents, may we draw your attention to the invitation to contribute photographs and images as we redesign the BJGP cover.

• © British Journal of General Practice 2020