Senior doctors have warned that cancer patients are being let down and some are at risk of dying because they are not receiving timely treatment. Oncologist Professor Pat Price, head of Radiotherapy UK, described cancer care in the UK as being 'in crisis'.
In December 2023, only 65.9% of cancer patients in England started their first treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral, against a target of 85% that was last met in 2015. Former nurse Tina Bean, 55, from Stebbing, Essex, waited 158 days for treatment for stage three bowel cancer. She described the wait as 'horrific' and said the delay could negatively impact her survival rate.
Professor Price noted that 225,000 cancer patients have waited too long for treatment since 2020, with some reportedly waiting over a year. She warned that for every four-week delay, there can be up to a 10% increase in deaths. Leandre Archer from the Society of Radiographers said departments often operate at 120% capacity, with some forced to turn off radiotherapy machines due to staff shortages.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said cutting waiting lists is a government priority. Cancer Research UK's chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said thousands of patients face unacceptable waits for diagnosis and treatment.
