Recent cancer data (released May 15, 2025) shows that almost 1 in 3 patients faced delays to their cancer treatment in March 2025.
Furthermore, Radiotherapy UK’s analysis of NHS England cancer data (Q1-4 2024/2025) found:
- Almost 30,000 patients waited over three months (104 days) to begin treatment.
- Over 100,000 patients started treatment later than the 62-day target (the target to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral from a GP, cancer screening programme, or consultant upgrade).
Leading oncologist, founder of the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign, and chair of Radiotherapy UK, Professor Pat Price, said:
“Today’s NHS cancer data doesn’t just show missed targets, it shows a catalogue of missed chances to save lives. Nearly 30,000 patients have been left waiting over 3 months to start their treatment in the last year. This is a heartbreaking disaster because every 4 weeks of delay in starting cancer treatment increases the risk of death by 10%. If the Government is serious about delivering for cancer patients, it needs to deliver a plan that addresses the crisis in radiotherapy and invests in the people and the kit we need to give lifesaving treatment on time. Cancer waits for no one and will take thousands of lives needlessly without urgent action. No patient should be left to deal with the deadly consequences and fear of being denied the timely treatment they deserve.”
Recent cancer data (released May 15, 2025) shows that almost 1 in 3 patients faced delays to their cancer treatment in March 2025.
Furthermore, Radiotherapy UK’s analysis of NHS England cancer data (Q1-4 2024/2025) found:
- Almost 30,000 patients waited over three months (104 days) to begin treatment.
- Over 100,000 patients started treatment later than the 62-day target (the target to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral from a GP, cancer screening programme, or consultant upgrade).
