Researchers have warned that not enough patients are being sent by up to a fifth of GPs for life-saving scans to diagnose cancer.

In some cases symptoms are being missed out by doctors and other cases cost-cutting managers are discouraging others for referring patients.

It has been seen that in England, the chances of people with suspected cancer being sent for scans are 60 times more as compared to people living at other places.

According to researchers, there is a lack of awareness among GPs that is leading to failure in spotting the symptoms of cancer.

It has also been noted that hospital consultants and managers are PCTs are telling GPs for sending people for scans even when they don't need it.

Under Department of Health guidelines, if someone is sent for a scan by their family doctor then within two weeks the patient will have to undergo urgent scan.

It has however been seen by the National Cancer Intelligence Network has shown that the chances of patients being referred for tests are dependent on their area of stay and under which GP practice they are registered.