Symptoms, signs and non-diagnostic tests in unselected primary care populations with a PPV of ≥5% for cancer for which there is robust evidence.
| Symptom | Cancer | Sex | Age, years | Evidence level for PPV of 5% or more in other cohorts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rectal bleeding computer code or new onset rectal bleeding | Colorectal | M+F | ≥75 | None aged <60 years, aged 60–74 years equivocal |
| Iron deficiency anaemia Hb <12 g/dl | Colorectal | M | ≥60 | Moderate evidence for gastrointestinal malignancy in men with Hb ≤12 g/dl aged >20 years and women with Hb ≤11 g/dl aged >50 years |
| Iron deficiency anaemia Hb <11 g/dl | Colorectal | F | ≥70 | |
| Iron deficiency anaemia Hb <9 g/dl | Colorectal | F | ≥60 | |
| Haematuria | Urological | M+F | ≥60 | None aged <40 years, aged 40–60 years equivocal |
| Rectal examination malignant | Prostate | M | ≥40 | No other evidence for PPV of 5% or more in other cohorts |
| Haemoptysis computer code | Lung | M | ≥55 | No other evidence for PPV of 5% or more in other cohorts |
| Haemoptysis computer code | Lung | F | ≥65 | |
| Dysphagia computer code | Oesophagus | M | ≥55 | No other evidence for PPV of 5% or more in other cohorts |
| Breast lump or mass | Breast | F | ≥20 | No other evidence for PPV of 5% or more in other cohorts |
| Postmenopausal bleeding computer code | Gynaecological | F | 75–84 | No other evidence for PPV of 5% or more in other cohorts |
F = female. Hb = haemoglobin. M = male. PPV = positive predictive value.