Claire Rowney, chief executive, at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“Today’s bleak, long-overdue findings expose the true extent to which people with cancer in Wales are being let down – including facing agonising waits for an initial breast cancer diagnosis and starting the treatment that could give them the best chance of survival.
“NHS staff continue to work tirelessly to support and care for people living with breast cancer in Wales, but nonetheless, failure to meet existing targets has left far too many people with breast cancer waiting too long, for care they should be able to rely on.
“As outlined in the report, breast cancer services briefly met the 62-day target from point of first suspicion of cancer to treatment in June 2021, but performance has since declined resulting in a postcode lottery of care across health boards.
“The current lack of data published across the cancer patient pathway - such as the time it takes for a diagnosis to be given, and treatment started by cancer type - is denying us valuable insight as to how best to address these delays and meet the 62-day target. As such, we agree with Audit Wales’ recommendation for a more comprehensive set of publicly available data on cancer services.
“What’s more, at the point of August 2024, the annual breast screening uptake rate was worryingly below the standard, with variation across Wales determined by location and deprivation levels. The report rightly highlights, there’s a vital opportunity to improve breast screening uptake. Public Health Wales and Breast Test Wales should be supported by the Welsh Government to address these health inequalities and deliver a convenient, flexible, and equitable service for all eligible women in Wales.
“The severity of this report cannot be downplayed. It’s encouraging to see the new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in Wales committed to reducing cancer waiting times, but we need urgent, strategic action and leadership from the government to address these structural failings.”
ENDS