Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said:
“Today, as part of One Cancer Voice, we’re calling for unacceptably long cancer waiting times in England to urgently be tackled as it’s revealed that 75,000 cancer patients were not treated on time in 2024.
“Devastatingly, we estimate that if waiting times targets had been met for breast cancer last year, over four thousand [4,357] more people would have had a timely diagnosis and access to potentially life-saving treatments.[1] Instead, they and their loved ones endured long, anxious waits.
“The 62-day target from urgent referral to starting treatment for breast cancer hasn’t been met for over four years now [2], and even those patients who do start their treatment on time face longer waits on average than before the pandemic.[3] This situation must change.
“We recognise the challenges facing the health service, and the tireless work of NHS staff. The government’s upcoming cancer plan for England offers a vital opportunity to bring much needed change. However, it must deliver resources and capacity that dramatically cut waiting times. We stand ready to work with the government and NHS to make sure this real, lasting change, that people with breast cancer deserve becomes a reality as soon as possible.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Breast Cancer Now analysis of NHS England cancer waiting times data. In 2024, 4,357 more people would have received timely treatment had the 85% target been met.
- NHS England has not met its 85% target for people with breast cancer to start treatment within 62 days since November 2020.
- In December 2024 only 10.9% of people received their first treatment within a month of referral, compared to 37% in April 2020.