The aim of this book is to inform primary care physicians (including in training) about how cancer is provided for primary care, and how they can choose patients to investigate. One-quarter of deaths in the UK are cancer, and the vast majority of these tumors are initially found for primary care.

Cancer diagnosis is difficult, both in identifying those who need to investigate, and those who do not. "Cancer diagnosis in primary care" covers major cancers in individual classes.

The book also includes chapters on screening, systemic symptoms (which may be present with a number of cancers), and terminology used in cancer epidemiology. The last section of Case Studies provides an important opportunity for teaching or self-assessment.

Although the book is based on precise knowledge of the subject, it uses an old style similar to cathedra rather than being annotated in a very academic way. The facts are true, but the goal is to make them readable! The approach is strongly based on the needs of the primary care physician.

The editors are academics in primary care, who are active researchers in the field of cancer, and have a significant involvement with the National Cancer Theater.