Defying Time: How C the Signs Is Transforming Early Cancer Detection Across the NHS

At the inaugural C the Signs Conference, Dr Miles Payling - Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer - delivered a message that captured the spirit of the movement redefining how the world detects cancer.

In a talk that fused science with humanity, he spoke not only about technology, but about time and how every second counts in the journey to early diagnosis.

“We can’t afford to wait for symptoms to become obvious. Every moment matters - because every moment lost is a choice, a treatment, a life that could have been saved.”

The Why - Where It All Began

Miles began with the story that shaped C the Signs’ mission. As an NHS doctor, he met a patient named Joe - fit, active, and 60 years old. After several GP visits with vague symptoms, Joe arrived at A&E jaundiced and weak. Scans confirmed metastatic pancreatic cancer. Three weeks later, Joe died.

“Joe never asked, why do I have cancer? What he asked was, why was my cancer picked up so late?”

That single question became the foundation of C the Signs - a platform designed to detect cancer early enough to change the outcome .

Today, that vision saves time and lives - with a patient with cancer detected every 22 minutes.

Why Early Detection Still Fails Too Many

Cancer remains the leading cause of death in the UK, with survival determined by the stage at diagnosis.

For breast cancer, five-year survival is 97.9 % at stage 1 but just 26.2 % at stage 4.
For bowel cancer, it falls from 91.7 % to 10.3 % .
Yet only 58.7 % of patients are diagnosed at early stages .

In primary care - where 90 % of all NHS patient contact takes place - GPs face impossible pressures: 10-minute consultations, thousands of patients, and on average just eight new cancer diagnoses a year .

“The problem isn’t people. It’s knowledge. We need to give every GP the power of precision - instantly.”

The Innovation - Redefining What’s Possible

C the Signs is an AI-powered, pan-cancer platform integrated directly with electronic health records. In under 30 seconds, it assesses risk, predicts tumour origin, and guides clinicians to the right diagnostic pathway across 100+ cancer types.

Real-world evaluations across the NHS have shown:

• 99 % sensitivity - finding nearly all patients with cancer
• 99 % negative predictive value - safely ruling out risk
• 94 % accuracy in predicting tumour origin
• 50 % reduction in emergency cancer presentations
• 21 % faster time-to-diagnosis - from 85 days to 67 days
  

Each figure represents a human life identified earlier, a family spared uncertainty, and a system made stronger.

The Movement - Honouring Jess’s Rule

Miles closed his speech by reflecting on Jessica Brady’s story - a 27-year-old whose symptoms were missed, leading to a late diagnosis and preventable loss .

To honour her legacy, C the Signs is implementing “Jess’s Rule” - a feature that automatically alerts clinicians when a patient presents three times or more with unresolved symptoms, and triggers a cancer risk assessment .

“We can turn tragedy into transformation - by ensuring that no patient is ever overlooked again.”

Together, we can make early cancer detection a standard for all, not a privilege for some - and give every person the time they deserve.

For most patients, their GP is the starting point on the path to early diagnosis.

Every year, GPs across the UK see millions of people with symptoms that could - but rarely do - indicate cancer. Recognising which of those subtle signs matter most is critical. At C the Signs, we’re helping GPs identify cancer symptoms sooner, combining AI-driven clinical insight with trusted medical evidence to turn uncertainty into action.

The Challenge of Early Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care

Cancer doesn’t always present clearly.

A persistent cough. Fatigue. Unexplained weight loss.

These are symptoms GPs encounter daily - most often caused by benign conditions, but sometimes the earliest indicators of cancer.

With over 200 cancer types and thousands of possible symptom combinations, even the most experienced clinicians face a challenge: balancing vigilance with efficiency in a 10-minute consultation.

That’s where C the Signs comes in - using data, evidence, and artificial intelligence to ensure no symptom is overlooked.

Turning Complexity Into Clarity

The C the Signs platform analyses symptoms, risk factors, demographics, and clinical data in seconds — highlighting when a patient may be at risk and guiding the clinician to the right next step.

By integrating directly with EMIS and SystmOne, the platform works seamlessly within NHS systems, enabling GPs to:

• Quickly cross-check symptoms against validated cancer pathways
• Identify rare or non-specific presentations earlier
• Refer patients confidently to the most appropriate service
  

This means patients at risk of cancer receive investigations and treatment sooner — when outcomes are most favourable.

Building Confidence Through Clinical Support

C the Signs isn’t just a platform - it’s built to work with clinicians, not instead of them. It brings together the best available evidence, national guidelines, and AI-powered insight into one clear, easy-to-use interface.

That means:

• Less diagnostic uncertainty
• More consistent, evidence-based referrals
• Improved patient safety and continuity of care
  

“C the Signs helps me confirm when my instincts are right — and sometimes, when they’re not.

It ensures that no patient slips through the net.”

— GP, North West England

Driving Early Diagnosis Across the NHS

By supporting GPs to recognise cancer symptoms earlier, C the Signs contributes directly to the NHS Long Term Plan ambition:

Diagnose 75% of cancers at stage 1 or 2 by 2028.

Across Primary Care Networks, Cancer Alliances, and Integrated Care Systems, GPs using C the Signs are already seeing measurable impact - with:

• More early referrals
• Faster diagnostic timelines
• Improved accuracy in identifying patients with cancer
  

Each earlier diagnosis means more patients receiving treatment when it can make the greatest difference - saving time, cost, and lives.

Beyond Technology - A Partnership for Change

Technology alone doesn’t transform healthcare - people do.

That’s why we work closely with GPs, practice nurses, and PCN teams to design and continually refine the platform based on real-world feedback.

Together, we’re transforming early cancer diagnosis from a reactive process into a proactive standard of care - one where every symptom is seen, every risk assessed, and every patient given the best possible chance.

In primary care, time matters. Every consultation, every click, and every decision can shape a patient’s outcome - especially when it comes to cancer.

That’s why C the Signs has been designed to integrate seamlessly with EMIS and SystmOne, enabling GPs to detect cancer earlier without adding extra steps to their daily workflow.

Integration That Fits Naturally Into Primary Care

For most GPs, EMIS and SystmOne are the backbone of daily practice - holding every patient’s medical history, symptoms, and risk factors. C the Signs connects directly into these systems, transforming that information into real-time, actionable insight.

Through this integration, clinicians can:

• Instantly access C the Signs from within EMIS or SystmOne
• Automatically analyse patient symptoms, demographics, and clinical data
• Receive immediate, evidence-based guidance on cancer risk and next steps
  

No extra software. No switching screens. No duplicate data entry. Just faster, smarter decision-making - at the point of care.

Reducing the Time to Diagnosis

C the Signs is built to make early diagnosis simple, safe, and scalable. By embedding directly into the GP’s existing system, it eliminates delays that often occur when technology sits outside the electronic medical record.

This seamless workflow means:

• Referrals can be generated instantly, including under the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), formerly known as the two-week wait (2WW).
• Patient data flows automatically, avoiding missed information or transcription errors.
• Audit trails and outcomes are logged for research, safety, and quality improvement.
  

In practices where C the Signs is live, clinicians are already finding cancer faster and more accurately - with earlier referrals, improved outcomes, and a reduced administrative burden.

Driving Early Diagnosis Across the NHS

C the Signs integrates directly with:

• EMIS Web - used by around 70% of GP practices in England
• SystmOne - supporting thousands of GP practices, community services, and hospitals
  

Together, these integrations make the platform available to millions of patients across the NHS — turning data into action and ensuring that every GP, regardless of location, has access to the same level of intelligent support.

Seamless, Safe, and Clinically Validated

Every integration is developed and maintained in line with:

• NHS Digital standards
• Clinical Safety DCB0129/0160 accreditation
• Information Governance and GDPR compliance
  

This ensures that C the Signs operates to the highest standards of clinical safety, patient privacy, and system performance — delivering technology clinicians can trust.

Real Impact, Real Patients

“The ability to use C the Signs directly in EMIS has completely changed how quickly I can act.

I can review a patient’s symptoms, get the cancer risk assessment instantly, and make the referral — all in one place.”

— GP, South East England

Every integration helps remove barriers between data and diagnosis - giving clinicians back time and patients back their best chance of survival.

About C the Signs

C the Signs is an AI-powered clinical platform that helps healthcare professionals identify patients at risk of cancer earlier, faster, and more accurately.

Founded by NHS doctors, the platform analyses over 100 cancer types using evidence-based algorithms and integrates directly into GP workflows through EMIS, SystmOne, and Vision.

By embedding early detection tools into everyday care, C the Signs is helping achieve the NHS’s ambition:

75% of cancers diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 by 2028.

Every minute counts when it comes to cancer.
For most patients, early detection means faster treatment, better outcomes, and more lives saved.

Yet for GPs, recognising which of the thousands of daily symptoms could indicate cancer isn’t simple. That’s where C the Signs comes in - an AI-powered clinical platform that helps healthcare professionals identify patients at risk of cancer earlier, faster, and more accurately.

The Challenge: Spotting the Earliest Signs of Cancer

Cancer rarely looks the same twice. Two patients with the same disease can present in completely different ways - fatigue in one, back pain in another.

With over 100 cancer types and countless symptom combinations, even the most experienced GP can face uncertainty.

Traditional guidelines can be fragmented or difficult to navigate in a busy primary care setting.
C the Signs bridges that gap - bringing together national guidance, clinical research, and local pathways into one intelligent platform that supports decision-making in real time.

The Solution: AI-Driven Clinical Support

C the Signs analyses patient data, demographics, risk factors, and symptoms to calculate the probability of cancer - then guides the GP to the right next step.

It doesn’t replace clinical judgement.
It enhances it.

Here’s how it works in real time:

1. Input – The GP enters symptoms, risk factors, or test results directly within EMIS, SystmOne, or Vision.
2. Analyse – The platform’s AI interprets this data using national guidelines, research evidence, and validated clinical pathways.
3. Act – Within seconds, C the Signs provides a clear recommendation - suggesting the most appropriate referral, investigation, or next action, tailored to each individual patient.

Everything happens seamlessly, within the GP’s existing workflow - saving valuable time and ensuring no symptom is overlooked.

Built on Evidence, Backed by Research

C the Signs doesn’t guess - it’s grounded in science.

Our algorithms are validated against national cancer guidelines and peer-reviewed research, and informed by real-world data from NHS England partners, Cancer Alliances, and Health Innovation Networks.

Every insight is continually refined through clinical feedback and new evidence, ensuring the platform remains aligned with the most up-to-date pathways in early diagnosis.

Seamless Integration with NHS Systems

Time is one of the most valuable resources in primary care.
That’s why C the Signs integrates directly with EMIS, SystmOne, and Vision, requiring no extra logins or manual data entry.

The platform works where GPs already work, making early detection faster, simpler, and more efficient.

Improving Early Detection Across the NHS

C the Signs is now used by over 10,000 healthcare professionals across 1,500 GP practices, supporting early cancer detection nationwide.

Independent evaluations and NHS-led studies have shown that practices using C the Signs achieve:

• Higher rates of two-week-wait referrals
• Faster time to diagnosis (a 21% reduction in diagnostic delays)
• More cancers diagnosed in primary care
• Fewer emergency presentations

By identifying patients earlier, C the Signs is helping the NHS move closer to its 2028 ambition - diagnosing 75% of cancers at stage 1 or 2.

Supporting Clinicians. Empowering Patients.

C the Signs is more than a platform - it’s a partner in early diagnosis.

By giving clinicians the confidence to act on subtle patterns and helping patients reach testing sooner, we’re redefining what’s possible in cancer care.

“Every early diagnosis is a life changed - and that’s what drives us.”

Cancer touches nearly every life, yet its outcome can change dramatically depending on one thing: how early it’s found.

At C the Signs, our mission is to make sure no patient faces a late cancer diagnosis. By helping clinicians detect cancer sooner, we can give every person the best chance of survival.

The Power of Early Diagnosis

When cancer is diagnosed early, treatment is simpler, recovery is quicker, and survival rates are dramatically higher.

In fact:

• Patients diagnosed at Stage 1 are up to three times more likely to survive than those diagnosed at Stage 4.
• For some cancers, such as bowel and breast cancer, early detection can mean survival rates of over 90%.
• The NHS estimates that over 55,000 lives could be saved each year in the UK through earlier diagnosis.
  

Yet, despite these numbers, nearly half of all cancers are still diagnosed at a later stage.

That’s where technology and innovation must step in.

The Challenge: Subtle Signs, Complex Pathways

Detecting cancer early isn’t always straightforward.

In primary care, GPs see hundreds of patients every week - many presenting with symptoms that could be caused by a wide range of conditions.

Fatigue, unexplained weight loss, persistent cough - they might be harmless, or they might be the first signs of cancer.

With over 200 different types of cancer, each with unique presentations, it’s easy to see how even experienced clinicians face uncertainty.

The traditional diagnostic process can be complex and time-consuming - but with AI-powered tools like C the Signs, we can help clinicians navigate those complexities in seconds.

How C the Signs Supports Early Diagnosis

C the Signs uses artificial intelligence and clinical research to help healthcare professionals identify cancer risk at the earliest opportunity.

It analyses combinations of symptoms, risk factors, demographics, and clinical data to highlight when a patient may need urgent testing or referral.

By integrating seamlessly with GP systems such as EMIS, SystmOne, and Vision, C the Signs supports faster, evidence-based decisions - right there in the consultation. Every time a clinician uses C the Signs, they’re helping to catch cancer earlier, speed up treatment, and improve outcomes.

Real Impact, Real Lives

Behind every early diagnosis is a patient who gets to start treatment sooner - and a family that gets to hold on to more time.

From NHS practices to Cancer Alliances across the UK, C the Signs is helping to make that difference daily.

GPs using the platform have seen:

• Increases in timely referrals,
• Improvements in diagnostic accuracy, and
• Greater confidence in identifying patients at risk.
  

Early diagnosis isn’t just a metric - it’s a moment that can change a life.

Working Towards a Shared NHS Goal

The NHS Long Term Plan sets an ambitious target:

By 2028, 75% of cancers should be diagnosed at Stage 1 or 2.

C the Signs is proud to support this national mission by equipping GPs and healthcare professionals with the tools they need to meet it.

By combining clinical expertise with AI, we’re helping transform early diagnosis from an aspiration into a reality.

Every Early Diagnosis Starts with Action

Every consultation is a chance to change a life.

By acting on subtle symptoms and supporting clinical decision-making, C the Signs empowers clinicians to make earlier, more confident diagnoses.

“Because when cancer is found early, we don’t just treat a disease - we save a future.”

Learn More

👉 Discover How C the Signs Works - explore our AI-powered approach to early diagnosis.

👉 Read The Story Behind C the Signs - our journey to change the future of cancer care.

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We’re proud to share that Mayo Clinic Magazine has published an in-depth feature on C the Signs, spotlighting our journey, scientific breakthroughs, and mission to transform how cancer is diagnosed - globally.

Recognition from one of the world’s most respected medical institutions marks a new chapter in our mission to drive earlier detection, better outcomes, and a future where no patient is diagnosed too late.

A Story That Resonates

The feature, titled “C the Signs: Building digital solutions to find cancer up to five years sooner,” takes readers inside the origins and innovation behind our platform.

It begins with the story of Dr Bea Bakshi, who, after witnessing a patient’s late pancreatic cancer diagnosis during her time as an NHS doctor, was driven to ask a single question:

“What if we could help doctors spot the earliest signs of cancer - before it’s too late?”

From that question came the foundation for C the Signs - and the start of a new approach to early diagnosis.

The Mayo Clinic piece explores:

• How our AI models have been developed to detect patterns across multiple tumour types
• Our “closed-loop learning” system, which continuously refines itself with every patient interaction
• And our collaboration with Mayo Clinic’s Platform_Accelerate programme, enabling retrospective validation against diverse US patient datasets

One of the most powerful findings: in retrospective analysis, C the Signs identified cancers up to five years earlier in 26% of patients across the five highest-mortality cancer types - breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and pancreatic.

That kind of lead time doesn’t just change statistics.
It changes lives. As our Co-Founder and CEO, Bea shared with Mayo Clinic:

“We’ve detected over 65,000 patients with cancer in the UK. In five years’ time, I want to be talking about the number of patient lives we’ve saved in the United States.”

Defying Time. Rewriting the Possible.

Our collaboration with Mayo Clinic reflects the next phase of our mission - building a future where early detection is standard for all, not a privilege for some.

Every earlier diagnosis is a life changed.
And every life changed redefines what’s possible.

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Photography by Lincoln Gore / Mayo Clinic