London, United Kingdom – Nearly half of all specialist cancer centers in the UK are facing significant delays in cancer care on a regular basis, according to a report by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). The RCR has highlighted a concerning shortage of doctors in the cancer workforce, with a 30% deficit in radiologists and a 15% deficit in clinical oncologists.
Political parties in the UK have made promises to address the challenges in cancer care. The Conservative Party has pledged to meet current targets for cancer care in England by the end of the next parliament if re-elected. Meanwhile, Labour has committed to doubling the number of scanners for early detection, and the Liberal Democrats have proposed a legal guarantee for all patients to begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral in England.
According to a recent survey conducted by the RCR, there has been a significant increase in delays at specialist cancer centers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The number of centers experiencing severe delays has almost doubled in a year, with reports of delays in chemotherapy and cancer drug treatments rising from 28% to 47% of sites.
Workforce shortages have been identified as a major contributing factor to the delays. The president of the RCR, Dr. Katharine Halliday, emphasized the urgent need for more doctors to manage the growing number of patients safely. The lack of resources is expected to worsen as demand for cancer care continues to rise.
Health systems across the UK have been struggling to meet targets for cancer treatment, even before the Covid-19 pandemic. Recent data from NHS England showed that only 69% of patients were receiving their first cancer treatment within 62 days, falling short of the 85% target.
Rosemary Head, an 83-year-old from Essex, shared her experience of waiting eight months for a lung cancer diagnosis and facing delays in receiving treatment. Her story reflects the challenges that many cancer patients in the UK are currently facing in accessing timely care.
As the UK approaches a general election, different political parties have put forward their proposals for improving cancer care. The focus is not only on meeting targets but also on addressing workforce shortages, increasing capacity in the system, and providing long-term strategies for cancer care in England. Cancer Research UK has called for a fully-funded strategy to support cancer research and improve services across the country to ensure that patients receive the care they deserve.