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Health professionals

Last reviewed: 8 April 2025

Suspected Cancer Referral Guidelines

Access our free, evidence-based information and resources designed to support primary care health professionals with making suspected cancer referrals in line with the relevant national guidelines.

Last reviewed: 8 April 2025

Download our summaries of the suspected cancer referral guidelines

NICE suspected cancer referral guidelines (NG12) interactive symptom guide(PDF, 1.18 MB)

Scottish Referral Guidelines for suspected cancer (SRG) body infographic(PDF, 196 KB)

Illustration of the UK with England and Wales highlighted in magenta.

England and Wales

NICE suspected cancer recognition and referral guidelines (NG12)

Icon_UK countries map Scotland navy highlight magenta.

Scotland

Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRG) for suspected cancer

Icon_UK countries map Northern Ireland navy highlight magenta.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) referral guidance for suspected cancer

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Cancer recognition & referral body infographics

A visual summary of the guidelines on one page mapped to the body.

NICE NG12 cancer referral body infographic(PDF, 464 KB)

SRG cancer referral body infographic(PDF, 196 KB)

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Interactive suspected cancer referral guides

An interactive PDF guiding you through the referral guidance for different symptom presentations.

NICE NG12 interactive symptoms guide(PDF, 1.18 MB)

White question mark in a navy circle.

Managing patients with non-specific symptoms

Visit our non-specific symptoms webpage for more guidance on managing these symptoms and the referral guidelines and pathways for each UK nation.

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Resources to support patients

Your urgent suspected cancer referral explained – It’s important to explain your referral to patients and the process that will follow. Our range of resources below can help you provide the relevant information to support them:

Your urgent cancer referral explained webpage

Online guide (PDF)

Printed wallet cards (order for free)

We’re always keen to hear your views on these resources to make them as valuable as possible. If you have any feedback, you can get in touch at SEinbox@cancer.org.uk.

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