Today Macmillan Cancer Support is publishing new analysis that shows around 58,000 people living with cancer in England could have precious extra months with loved ones if cancer waiting times targets were hit (see ‘key facts’ below)i. Following the latest findings, produced in partnership with health analytics company LCP, the leading cancer charity is calling on the Government to take cancer seriously by addressing the staffing crisis to ensure people are diagnosed and treated quickly. By doing this, politicians can give more people living with cancer the gift of time.
More people are being referred for cancer tests than ever before but too many people are facing long waits and delays for diagnosis and treatment. Additional analysis from the charity shows waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment remained unacceptably high in England in the first half of 2023ii.
The research also found that the number of people waiting too long to start treatment in England has increased at a greater rate than the total number of people starting treatmentiii. Macmillan describes this is as indicative of a system in crisis, and says that people need and deserve to receive the best possible care rather than agonising waits that turn lives upside down, both mentally and physically. The charity says politicians from across the UK have failed to act for too long and support is needed now more than ever.
Talking about the direct impact that long waits have on cancer patients, other figures from Macmillan show nearly one in five (18%) people who have been diagnosed with cancer in London in the past 10 years have experienced long waits or delaysiv. Among those affected by delays, one in three (34%) said that they believe this has led to their cancer getting worse, and three in ten (30%) said that long waits have meant that they’ve had to put their ‘entire lives on hold’v.
Thirty-five-year-old Claire Coxsell, from Portsmouth, was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer in March this year. Claire was referred to breast services at her local hospital but didn’t start treatment until 88 days later, which is over three weeks outside of the 62-day target. Claire says it has been a “constant battle” to find out information about her appointments and treatment.
Claire said: “I’m exhausted. I’m not tired because of the treatment – I’m tired because I have to fight for everything including my treatment. The stress and anger due to cancer admin – what I call ‘cadmin’ – has been the most tiring thing.
“I was diagnosed on 29 March, but I was meant to have an appointment about my diagnosis the week before – but didn’t receive the appointment because of an admin error. I was sitting waiting for a phone call that never came. I started my treatment on 30 May, more than 12 weeks (about 3 months) after referral despite being told I was a priority. I’ve just started radiotherapy but again, I had to chase for that appointment and it’s only after several phone calls that I was given a concrete date.
“A few days’ delay feels like years. And while I understand a few days won’t necessarily change whether I live or die, cumulative days here and there add up to weeks and months – and that is where a difference can be made.”
“When I have finally have my appointments the NHS staff have been great but I do feel sorry for them as you can see they are frustrated with operating in a saturated system.”
Steven McIntosh Executive Director of Advocacy & Communications at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
“The situation for people with cancer is nothing short of heartbreaking. Staff across health systems are doing the very best they can but are stretched to breaking point. The failure of governmental support across the UK has left health services fractured and people living with cancer are left paying the price.
“This is categorically unacceptable and entirely avoidable; it doesn’t have to be this way. Today’s data suggests that if politicians stepped into action and waiting times targets were hit, over 50,000 people with cancer in England would survive an extra 6 months or more, allowing more precious time with friends and family. If this doesn’t strike a chord with our governments, what will?
“Politicians, what are you waiting for? You’ve pledged to cut waiting lists and we need to see this taken seriously. We need to see sustainable funding put in place for investment in the cancer workforce. By investing in this, you are investing in the future of people living with cancer.”
Macmillan is urging politicians to listen and act by asking: ‘what are you waiting for?’ and is calling on governments across the UK to take urgent action to ensure that cancer services have the right resources in place to meet the ever-increasing demand now and in the years to come. This includes investing in roles such extra admin support, link workers and care coordinators to help ensure people can quickly receive the care they need, when they need it.
By investing in the future of cancer services, people living with cancer could be getting diagnosed and treated quicker, giving them more time, and ultimately saving lives. Macmillan has already had over 12,000 people sign up to its campaign to cut waiting lists. To pile further pressure on politicians, people can sign up to support the campaign at macmillan.org.uk/whatarewewaitingfor.
Macmillan will do whatever it takes to support people through long waits and delays to cancer treatment. For anyone concerned about delays, whatever the question, Macmillan is at the end of the phone and online to provide vital support. Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk
