Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, warns:
"This worrying report is yet another warning to the government of the consequences of failing to tackle the crisis facing cancer care in England.
“Breast cancer care is on the brink of disaster, with breast screening uptake in England tragically falling short of targets, and long waiting times preventing many women from starting potentially life-saving treatment on time.
“Of deep concern is the severe shortfall of oncologists and the detrimental impact this is having on some breast cancer services delivering timely treatment to people who desperately need it. And with almost half of clinical breast oncologists set to retire within the next decade, the situation is set to get much worse.
“Despite NHS staff working tirelessly to provide the best standard of care for patients, it’s clear that chronic staff shortages are denying people with breast cancer the best chance of early diagnosis and timely access to life-changing treatments.
“Urgent action is needed to speed up breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and to achieve this, the government and NHS England need to ensure the cancer workforce are fully resourced and supported. Only then can we guarantee people with breast cancer get the best standard of care, and the best chances of survival, both now and in the future.”
ENDS