BMJ 2019; 366 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l5271 (Published 23 September 2019)
Cite this as: BMJ 2019;366:l5271
What you need to know
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Unexpected weight loss can be associated with cancer, but also with a range of other conditions
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Weight loss codes in primary care typically represent ≥5% loss within a 6 month period, but there is a lack of evidence on how much weight loss and over what time period increase the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis in primary care
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Urgently refer people over the age of 60 years with unexpected weight loss for investigations to exclude cancer
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The optimal diagnostic strategy to detect cancer in patients with weight loss remains unclear