Each year, approximately 35,000 Danish residents are diagnosed with cancer. Although many are cured, cancer is still one of the most frequent causes of death in Denmark. The proportion of Danes surviving a cancer diagnosis is increasing due to better diagnostic methods and treatment and longer life expectancy.

In 2020, 360,000 Danes lived after being diagnosed with cancer. The number of cancer survivors is increasing by approx. 4-5  percent per year. It is important that the healthcare system is capable of delivering the right diagnosis quickly and that a focus is directed towards cancer follow-up and recurrence. 

Most cases of cancer are detected when symptoms are presented to the general practitioner (GP). The group conducts research in the diagnostic process from the first presented symptoms to diagnostic investigation and follow-up in general practice. The group also investigates the effect of fast-track cancer pathways and the detection of cancer recurrence in general practice.

The research focuses on the following key areas:

• The role of general practice in cancer follow-up
• The role of general practice in the diagnosis of recurrence
• The population's knowledge of - and reactions to - symptoms of cancer
• Management of cancer symptoms in general practice
• Organisational structures in the healthcare sector that influence the diagnosis of cancer.

Medical and epidemiological studies constitute an important foundation for investigating these research topics, but the group also applies an interdisciplinary approach that combines different theoretical frameworks, scientific methods and academic disciplines.

The research group collaborates closely with several hospital-based oncology departments and with partners in organisational research, psychology, anthropology, sociology and health economics.