Hundreds of thousands of cancer patients in the UK are turning to private treatment amid record NHS waiting times, according to data obtained by the Guardian. Nearly 300,000 people paid for chemotherapy in the last five years, with 282,560 funding treatment through insurance and a further 13,900 paying out of pocket, figures from the Private Healthcare Information Network show.
The data emerges as King Charles begins treatment for cancer within days of his diagnosis. Buckingham Palace has not specified whether the king is receiving private or NHS care, but his treatment draws attention to long cancer waiting times in the state-run health service, which experts consider to be in crisis.
In England, only 65.2% of patients receive treatment within 62 days of an urgent suspected cancer referral, against the NHS target of 85%. Additionally, 90.1% are treated within 31 days of diagnosis, below the 96% target. One in ten patients are denied treatment within this timeframe.
The total number paying for private cancer treatment is likely higher, as the data does not include those funding surgery, radiotherapy, or other treatments. A report by the NHS Confederation in January found that UK cancer survival rates lag behind other European countries for nine out of ten common cancers. Cancer Research UK also reported that progress in survival is slower than it has been for 50 years.
An NHS England spokesperson said the service is seeing and treating record numbers of cancer patients, with 30% more treated last year than in 2015-16, and nearly three million receiving checks in the last 12 months. They urged people to come forward if concerned about symptoms, stating that early detection saves lives.
