Child cancer

I am not at all surprised that GPs struggle to spot the one child with cancer he or she is likely to see in their entire professional career (your report, 1 September), particularly from among the other 35,000 or so children consultations (perhaps 25 a week, 40 weeks a year for 35 years).

However, it seems hardly likely that specific training to spot this one in 35,000 case is going to help much.

Better to have more training in the general principles of diagnosis in children across the board, more time for consultations, as well as exposure to paediatrics during, and indeed after, vocational GP training. GPs have a very tough job.

Charles Warlow

Emeritus Professor of Medical Neurology

South Gray Street

Edinburgh