The latest analysis by Macmillan Cancer Support shows that the number of people in London waiting too long for a cancer diagnosis or treatment has more than doubled since the start of the pandemic.
In terms of diagnoses, the average number of people left waiting over two weeks for a specialist appointment for suspected cancer after an urgent referral was around 2,300 per month in 2019. In 2022, the average number of people in the same position went up to around 5,300 per month.[1]
In terms of treatments, the average number of people who waited too long to start treatment was around 80 per month in 2019. In 2022, the average number of people in the same position was around 170 per month.
These increases mean there are even more people waiting to find out if they have cancer or when they will start treatment, causing further uncertainty at an already devastatingly anxious time.
Although NHS activity following the pandemic has increased, especially throughout 2022 as the backlog of people awaiting treatment and diagnosis is largely cleared in London, the impact of a system under strain is clear and cancer waiting time targets are still regularly missed.
Before 2020, the target of 96% of people being treated in London within 31 days after a cancer diagnosis was usually met, but performance has generally been less good since 2020, with significant variation month on month.
Again, performance against the target of being seen by a specialist for suspected cancer within two weeks after an GP urgent referral has improved during 2022, but it has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. By December 2022, the target had been missed for 21 consecutive months.
Emma Tingley, Head of Partnerships in London at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Absolutely no one should doubt the sheer effort of will being shown by NHS staff across London. Record numbers of people with suspected cancer are coming into the system via their GP for a diagnosis or treatment after a diagnosis. But, each month, there are also still so many people left waiting to find out if they have cancer or to receive treatment after a diagnosis feeling their lives are hanging in the balance. The UK Government needs to bring in measures to help cancer services recover and improve agonising waiting times.”
Sarah was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2018: “Getting diagnosed was a catalogue of alarming delays and dismissals and the over-riding conclusion I have drawn from my experience is that unless you are ‘pushy’ you might be unfortunate enough to miss a diagnosis. Macmillan was great, helped me demystify terminology and gave me questions to ask around my diagnosis, when I was feeling very lost and under-informed.”
Macmillan is here for people living with cancer every step of the way, whatever they need. If you are worried about a cancer diagnosis or treatment, trained nurses and advisers on Macmillan’s Support Line are available to offer support 8am – 8pm 7 days a week. For anyone concerned about symptoms they are worried might be cancer, it is always recommended to speak to your healthcare provider. They will always want to hear from you if you have concerns about cancer.
For more information, visit macmillan.org.uk or call Macmillan’s Support Line on 0808 808 00 00
