Over 380,000 cancer patients have faced 'routine' delays in starting treatment since 2015 READ MORE: Expert reveals 5 reasons bowel cancer is rising among under 50's By Kate Pickles Health Editor For The Daily Mail Published: 00:01 BST, 13 June 2024 | Updated: 00:01 BST, 13 June 2024 e-mail View comments More than 380,000 cancer patients have faced 'untold suffering' as a result of treatment delays over the past decade, a charity has warned. Cancer Research UK said the failure to meet the 62-day waiting time to start cancer treatment is costing lives. They said the General Election must be 'a turning point for cancer' or it could see decades of progress fighting the disease eroded.
It comes as a separate report from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) said delays in cancer care have become 'routine'. Almost half of cancer centres reported weekly holdups giving treatment such as chemotherapy — despite evidence that every month of delay can raise the risk of death by 10 per cent. More than 380,000 cancer patients have faced 'untold suffering' as a result of treatment delays over the past decade, a charity has warned (stock image) The college described a 'staggering' 30 per cent shortfall in clinical radiologists and 15 per cent in clinical oncologists hindering timely care, with both projected to worsen in coming years.
Cancer Research UK analysed data on the number of patients starting treatment in England more than 62 days after being urgently referred for suspected can.