England’s cancer treatment targets are slipping further behind, with NHS data revealing that the proportion of patients starting therapy within the 62-day window has fallen from 71.9% to 69.9%. The decline undermines government ambitions outlined in the National Cancer Plan, which aimed for 80% of patients referred urgently by GPs to begin treatment on time by March 2027.
Alan, a 70-year-old lung cancer patient, experienced the consequences personally. After a nodule was detected in June last year, he waited approximately five months for surgery instead of the intended weeks. During that period, two scans were cancelled due to equipment failures, and communication from the hospital was minimal. By the time he underwent the procedure, the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and grown rapidly.
“I was so frustrated and angry and couldn’t understand why they would leave me like that,” Alan said. Although follow-up scans indicate the cancer has cleared, he suffers from debilitating pain that has prevented him from returning to activities such as golf.
Prof Pat Price, a prominent UK oncologist, described the government’s current targets as unachievable, citing a “complete loss of momentum” and a lack of accountability. She warned that thousands of patients face unnecessary death due to administrative failures.
Analysis by Radiotherapy UK indicates that meeting the March 2027 target would require treating an additional 3,000 patients every month—a 15% increase over current volumes. With referral numbers rising across most cancer types, an estimated 54,000 more patients will need timely treatment before 2029 to reach government goals.
Medical evidence suggests that each month of delay reduces a patient’s chance of survival by approximately 10%. While some trusts, such as Salisbury, have made strides through rigorous management of appointments and IT systems, many others report worsening performance.
Salisbury District Hospital has implemented innovative techniques, such as real-time margin checks during surgery, allowing for complex reconstruction with minimal scarring. However, bottlenecks remain, particularly in pathology and radiotherapy. Lee Phillips, head of pathology at Salisbury, highlighted that histology labs are overwhelmed by specimen volume and require more staff and equipment.
Steve Haines of Macmillan Cancer Support emphasized the need for a National Cancer Board to oversee progress, arguing that visible action is essential to match the government’s ambitions. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the challenges but stated they are determined to restore performance to expected standards.
Funny how they ignore this until the next election. We need a National Cancer Board yesterday, not empty promises.
It’s not just staffing. The equipment failures Alan faced show infrastructure investment has been neglected for years.
80% target by 2027 looks completely impossible now. They need to admit they’re behind and ask for realistic extensions.
Salisbury proves it’s possible to do better, yet most trusts are failing. Where is the accountability Prof Price is demanding?
Is 10% survival drop per month realistic for all cancers? Seems like a blanket stat that doesn’t account for different tumor types.
Alan’s story is terrifying. Five months for lung cancer surgery? This isn’t just a delay, it’s a life sentence for many.