Almost 60,000 people have had their urgent cancer treatment delayed as one oncologist warns of a 'cancer recession' hitting the nation. Tens of thousands of cancer patients have seen the start to their time-critical treatment missed, and that number is anticipated to only grow.
Urgent action is needed to tackle the delays as international research claims that every four weeks of treatment delay can lead to a 10 per cent reduction in survival rates, says cancer charity Radiotherapy UK. There has been a 'significant and consecutive' quarterly spiral in cancer treatment waiting times over the past year, according to figures published by NHS England.
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The total number of cancer patients in England who have waited beyond 62 days for their cancer treatment now stands at 52,477. This current target in England states that no more than 15 per cent of cancer patients should wait more than 62 days between the date the hospital receives an urgent referral for suspected cancer and the start of the treatment.
The proportion of patients receiving their first definitive treatment after an urgent referral currently stands at more than 35 per cent.
The 'devastating cancer recession' will cost 'thousands of lives', claims Professor Pat Price, an oncologist and chair of the charity Radiotherapy UK. The crucial treatment targets for time-critical cancer care are essential to give patients the best possible chances of survival.
The charity's latest campaign '#CatchUpWithCancer is urging the government and Department of Health and Social Care to 'make a commitment to tackle this cancer backlog and recession by investing in crucial cancer treatment capacity services, particularly radiotherapy'.
Professor Pat Price said: “The cancer backlog crisis has now spiralled into a devastating cancer recession that will cost thousands of lives. For every four weeks of delayed treatment, there is a 10 per cent reduction in survival rates. I am shocked that nearly tens of thousands of cancer patients over the past year have missed the recommended treatment target, and are therefore receiving compromised care.
"Many cancer patients are dying prematurely and needlessly by missing out on treatment targets. This crisis will not be solved unless crucial cancer treatment services, particularly radiotherapy, is given the proper investment it needs to realise its full potential. Until then, we cannot catch up with this growing cancer recession.”
NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have been approached for comment.
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