Cancer Research UK has warned that the NHS will miss cancer diagnosis and treatment targets by more than three years based on current performance. The charity says England is not on track to meet a key commitment set down by the Government in the National Cancer Plan, published in February.
Targets set out in the National Cancer Plan
The plan stated that by March 2029, 80% of patients would receive a diagnosis or all-clear within 28 days of an urgent referral for suspected cancer. It also pledged that 85% of patients would start treatment within 62 days of urgent referral, and 96% of patients would start treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat.
Looking at the 62-day target in detail, Cancer Research UK said current performance suggests it will not be met until April 2032. The charity calculated that around 51,000 more people in England would need to start treatment on time between March this year and March 2029, on top of projected improvements in NHS performance, for the commitment to be met.
Modelling shows shortfall
Modelling suggests that 77.8% of cancer patients would start treatment within 62 days by March 2029, below the 85% commitment. The charity also said interim cancer waiting time targets set by the NHS for 2027 and 2028 look likely to be missed.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, warned that too many people were "anxiously waiting" to start cancer treatment. She said: "Despite the best efforts of NHS staff, these figures reveal that the UK Government needs to urgently turn up the dial to meet its commitments in England. Cancer patients deserve more than ambitions.
"They deserve an NHS that has the staff and equipment it needs to diagnose and treat cancer on time, giving everyone the best possible chance of beating the disease."
She added: "Publishing the National Cancer Plan is not a job done. Urgent action is needed, or too many patients will continue to wait too long for vital care."
Rise in cancer rates in younger adults
The warning came after research released this week showed prostate cancer rates in younger men had tripled in the past two decades. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) analysed NHS data to compare the number of under-50s in England being diagnosed with cancer in 2001 with the rates in 2023.
The new study found steep increases in rates of prostate, breast, kidney, womb and liver cancer in the same age group. Experts are unsure what is causing the increase.
It is feared the rise may be linked to changes in gut bacteria caused by diet and antibiotic use. Factors such as air pollution and obesity are also linked to the rise in cases.
The Department of Health and Social Care stressed that the analysis of treatment targets did not take into account improvements through the National Cancer Plan. A spokesperson added: "While we have already made good progress on the plan's goals - with performance against all three waiting time standards having improved over the last year, even in the face of record demand - we know there is a lot more to do. We will reduce waiting times further by diagnosing and treating cancer faster through new surgical hubs and the biggest expansion of NHS diagnostics in a generation."
The spokesperson concluded: "The recently relaunched National Cancer Board will scrutinise our progress against the commitments in the plan and advise ministers where further action is needed."
