Key result
The 2-week wait referral system fails to improve 5-year colorectal cancer survival over previous systems.
Why the study?
The impact of the 2-week wait referral system on 5-year survival rates in colorectal cancer patients undergoing potentially curative surgery was unclear.
Does the 2-week wait referral system improve 5-year survival in colorectal cancer patients undergoing curative surgery?
Comparison
Post-2WW referral system (2002) vs pre-2WW referral system (1999)
Design
Retrospective cohort study using prospectively maintained cancer database
Follow-up
5 years
Authors
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No survival benefit seen after 2WW introduction; leaves open whether expedited referral improves CRC outcomes in larger cohorts.
Cohort (n=276)
Does the 2-week wait referral system improve 5-year survival in colorectal cancer patients undergoing curative surgery?
Absolute Event Rate: 72% vs 71%
p-value: p=0.880
The introduction of the 2-week wait referral system for colorectal cancer reduced referral-to-treatment delays but did not improve 5-year survival rates.
Zafar et al. (2011) conducted a cohort in Colorectal cancer (n=276). 2-week wait (2WW) referral system vs. Pre-2WW referral system was evaluated on 5-year survival rate (p=0.880). The 2-week wait referral system did not significantly improve 5-year survival rates in colorectal cancer patients compared to the previous referral system (72% vs 71%; P=0.880).
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