Three-month waits for cancer treatment TRIPLE in 5 years – with 20k waiting over 104 days

VERY long waits for NHS cancer treatment have tripled since 2017, Cancer Research UK warns.

The charity found 12 per cent of patients did not start therapy for 104 days or more in 2022.

A lack of clinic capacity is one of the main reasons for long delays (stock image)Getty

NHS standards stipulate that at least 85 per cent should start treatment within 62 days of their first doctor’s referral.

The latest figure was a rise from four per cent in 2017 and means more than 20,000 people faced the agonising delays.

The risk of a long wait was higher for bowel, prostate and kidney cancer patients, CRUK said, but increased for all types.

Chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: “NHS staff are doing their best, but these figures are concerning and too many patients are still waiting too long to begin cancer treatment.”

People in their 60s, those living in poorer areas and patients with other health conditions were more likely to face delay.

Nine in 10 delays not due to patient choice

Research into the delays found that almost half were due to a lack of NHS staff, equipment or clinic capacity.

Patients needing complex tests or being too unwell to attend hospital were also issues.

Only six per cent of the delays were due to patient choice.

Nearly 400,000 Brits are diagnosed with cancer every year and diagnosing and treating the disease costs around £7billion.

Survival rates in the UK lag behind European neighbours and some countries’ patients were better off 20 years ago than ours are today.

Slow diagnosis and treatment are blamed as a top reason because they allow tumours to grow and spread.

Ms Mitchell added: “A long-term cancer strategy is needed to deliver on the government’s commitment to bring cancer waiting times down by providing our NHS with the equipment and staff it desperately needs to diagnose and treat patients on time.”

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “Too many cancer patients are waiting too long for treatment and we are determined to change that.

“That’s why our mission to get the NHS back on its feet includes taking measures such as doubling the number of MRI and CT scanners to help speed up diagnosis and treatment.

“Alongside this, we have commissioned an independent investigation, led by Professor Lord Darzi, into the extent of the issues the NHS faces.”

NHS CANCER TARGETS EXPLAINED

THE NHS in England has three targets for the time it takes to diagnose and treat cancer patients

75 per cent of patients must be diagnosed or given the all-clear within 28 days of their first urgent referral to a cancer doctor. Clinics are currently meeting this target, processing 76 per cent in that time in May 2024.

96 per cent of patients must begin treatment within 31 days of a doctor deciding they need treatment. Clinics are currently failing to meet this target, with 92 per cent in May 2024.

85 per cent of patients must begin treatment within 62 days of their first urgent doctor’s referral or screening result. Clinics are currently failing to meet this target, with 66 per cent in May 2024.

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