A new study has found that a simple language test may help identify brain tumours in those who are suffering from persistent headaches.
It involved 270 people who had to carry out a simple test; name as many animals as you can in 60 seconds.
The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and was funded by The Brain Tumour Charity.
The findings which were published to BMC Neurology suggested that the test could be a valuable way for GPs to quickly assess patients with persistent head pain.
In the study, 180 patients had a newly-diagnosed brain tumour, and for the most part they had a much poorer score than the others who did not.
The other 90 people were suffering from headaches, but it was found that they did not have a brain tumour after a scan.
The findings showed that 87.5 per cent of people with a poor score had a brain tumour.
Meanwhile, 48.1 per cent of people with a good score did not have a brain tumour.
A good score involved naming 14 or more animals in the 60 seconds, while any less was considered a poor score.
The researchers have concluded that further research is needed, but it may be a valuable tool for GPs in the future as a means to quickly decide if a patient requires rapid imaging.
Lead author, Dr Paul Brennan, Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian, said:
“The first symptoms experienced by patients with a brain tumour are often non-specific, such as headache, where a non-tumour diagnosis is much more likely. For example, for every 1,000 people presenting to a GP with headaches, just one or two will have a brain tumour.
“It remains difficult to determine which patients with these non-specific symptoms are most at risk of having a brain tumour. This unfortunately contributes to significant delays in diagnosis.
“Our study showed that a simple language test, which can be quickly and easily administered, could help GPs decide who is most likely to have a brain tumour.
"Symptomatic patients with low scores could be prioritised for rapid imaging, whilst other patients with high scores could be monitored as they are more likely to improve.
“Our findings are important in demonstrating proof-of-concept and we now need to validate this test in a larger group of patients to prove whether it could help guide referral for suspected brain cancer.
"Reducing time to diagnosis for people with a brain tumour remains critical as it means more rapid access to treatment, which is crucial to maximising patients’ quality of life.”
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