Dr David Hindmarsh and Julian Le Saux discuss medical articles from the BJGP and the BMJ. Subjects under discussion this month: non-attendance for 2-week cancer referral appointments; unscheduled care for people with terminal cancer; a new approach to case discussions; a new definition of quaternary prevention; AI system for interpreting breast scans; air pollution and stroke; CRP testing for COPD exacerbations; and the French government's decision to abandon funding for dementia drugs.