Thousands of cancer patients may die unnecessarily due to NHS delays, experts warn
Experts are raising concerns over the ongoing treatment delays across the NHS, warning that thousands of cancer patients could die unnecessarily without urgent action. New analysis by Radiotherapy UK revealed that over 500,000 cancer patients have faced waits of more than two months for vital treatment over the past decade, with the numbers continuing to climb until November 2024.
Research published in the BMJ previously showed that even a one-month delay in treatment could increase a patient's risk of death by 13 per cent, with that risk continuing to rise the longer they wait for care. The findings have sparked serious concerns about the impact of these delays on patient survival rates, the Mirror reports.
NHS Scotland has set a target to begin cancer treatment within 62 days for 95 per cent of patients, a goal established in December 2015. However, during the last-recorded quarter, only 72 per cent of patients received treatment within the62-day deadline, according to Public Health Scotland.
READ MORE: New call for changes to free bus travel scheme for people over 60
READ MORE: DWP confirms plans to change PIP includes payments, eligibility and decision-making process
On Tuesday, February 4, the Department of Health and Social Care is set to relaunch the UK Government’s cancer plan, but experts remain divided over its potential impact. This comes after NHS England dropped its original diagnosis targets.
The NHS had initially aimed to diagnose 75 per cent of cancers at stages one or two, but Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted to the Health Service Journal that the government is currently unable to commit to meeting national cancer targets.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told Reach: "From research, to prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, this government is going to transform cancer care, catapulting it into the modern day and making it fit for purpose.
"The reforms we are making will see around 120,000 more people referred for urgent cancer checks get a diagnosis within four weeks and start treatment within two months. We will also deliver two million extra appointments in our first year in office, while investing an extra £1.5billion in new surgical hubs and AI scanners to help catch more cancers faster.”
Professor Pat Price, chair of Radiotherapy UK and oncologist, has raised serious concerns over the current cancer treatment delays, calling them "unacceptably low ambitions" and warning that the situation has "normalised dangerous delays" that could cost thousands of lives.
He urged the UK Government to make the renewed cancer plan “brave and bold,” stressing that without significant action, “even more lives will be lost needlessly.”
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, echoed the call for action, urging the UK Government to “renew its ambitions” for both earlier diagnoses and better treatments. She highlighted the importance of this approach, stating: “This is key to ensuring that everyone can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”
An NHS spokesperson told Reach: “Thanks to the work of NHS staff, more people than ever before are being diagnosed at an early stage of cancer when there are more treatment options – and survival has never been higher.
"Performance against all three cancer waiting times standards is higher than a year ago, with the most recent data showing that 77 per cent of people referred urgently for tests by their GP received a diagnosis or ruling out of cancer within 28 days, and over 90 per cent of people started treatment within a month. But there is much more to do to ensure more people receive timely diagnosis and treatment for cancer, and we are committed to working with the Government to improve both waiting times and experience of care.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.
