A new analysis by Cancer Research UK has revealed concerning levels of variation in waiting times for cancer treatment in England. The charity found that patients affected by cancers of the head and neck or bowel were the most likely to experience delays. Only 50% of these patients were seen within the target 62-day waiting time, whilst those with blood, bone marrow and skin cancer tended to start treatment more quickly. Research has shown that delays in treatment can have negative health consequences, such as increasing the risk of death by 6-8% for some cancers.
Jayne Gray, who had a history of cancer, died aged 64 from bladder cancer and kidney failure. Despite an urgent referral from her GP, she had to wait 74 days for treatment to start. Cancer Research UK’s analysis shows that bladder cancer is one of the cancers with the longest waits. Jayne’s daughter has called the experience “torture”, proposing that her mother should have been prioritised.
Several factors contributed to variations in waiting times, including staff shortages, differences in diagnostic complexity and waiting list size. Cancer Research UK advocates long-term planning, including additional staff and diagnostic equipment, and a 10-year plan to save lives by bringing down waiting lists.
The 62-day target for treatment has not been met in England since 2015 and it is forecast that performance may worsen with an estimated 20% increase in referrals. This comes only a week after the health service was excoriated by Lord Darzi, with research indicating cancer patients being more likely to die in the UK than in other countries. In response, the Department of Health and Social Care has proposed a new 10-year plan for NHS reform to fight cancer through prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research. NHS England has claimed that whilst progress has been achieved, more needs to be done to address “some unacceptably long waits”.
Overall, the variation in waiting times for cancer treatment in England is not acceptable. Cancer patients deserve to be treated promptly and without prejudice to their cancer type. It is hoped that the new 10-year plan will bring about meaningful and lasting change and reform
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