[Danish National Guidelines for diagnostic strategy of patients with colorectal cancer symptoms]

Danish National Guidelines (DNG) for diagnostic strategy of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) symptoms are structured to ensure prompt and specific diagnostic testing, thus minimizing treatment delay. DNG state that the function of the general practitioner is to refer patients to a specialist as soon as the patient presents with CRC symptoms. Unfortunately, 60% of CRC patients experience a delay in referrals due to the fact that the guidelines are not followed as exemplified in our two cases.