Cancer patients still facing ‘dangerous treatment delays', experts warn
It comes as new figures show the proportion of patients who had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days has declined for the third consecutive month, while those waiting no longer than 62 days for their first treatment also fell.
Monthly data published by the NHS shows 74.8% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in May, down from 76.7% in April and the third monthly fall in a row.
The Government and NHS England have set a target of March 2026 for this figure to reach 80%.
Elsewhere, the proportion of patients who had waited no longer than 62 days in May from an urgent suspected cancer referral, or consultant upgrade, to their first definitive treatment for cancer was 67.8%, down from 69.9% in April.
The target to reach 75% is also March 2026.
Professor Pat Price, oncologist and chairwoman of Radiotherapy UK, said: 'Today's cancer waiting times show yet another missed opportunity to put a stop to dangerous treatment delays.
'Patients should not be kept on the edge of their seats waiting for the chance to access the life-saving treatment they need.
'It's an unfortunate reality that these delays have become normalised.'
Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'Behind these delays in cancer diagnosis are thousands of people hoping for clarity, support and the chance to move forward.
'Right now, many people are experiencing differences in care depending on who they are or where they live, which is completely unacceptable.
'Everyone facing cancer deserves the very best care, as quickly as possible, no matter their postcode, background, or circumstances.
Ms Seymour added that the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England 'is a real chance to make things better'.
The Department of Health and Social Care launched a call for evidence to help shape a national cancer plan in February.
The blueprint is expected to be published later this year and will aim to transform cancer care by improving diagnosis, screening and treatment, as well as bolstering research and looking at ways to help prevent the disease.
An NHS spokesperson said: 'Despite the NHS seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before, we know there is more to do to improve early diagnosis, access to tests and life-saving treatments.
'Our 10 Year Health Plan launched last week sets out some of the ways we will transform cancer care to be fit for the future, including innovation to speed up referral and diagnosis, with more to follow in the National Cancer Plan coming later this year.'
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'Not Just a Party Drug' Dr Irene Guerrini Consultant addiction psychiatrist Dr Irene Guerrini, who led the study, told Medscape News UK : 'The vast majority of clinicians think ketamine is a party drug used at clubs and raves, but it's not just that. My young patients often go to A&E and primary care and are told ketamine is not addictive, but it is addictive and can cause serious harm.' Guerrini said that ketamine uropathy is the most common complication of frequent use. 'It causes serious bladder, kidney and liver problems, and often extreme weight loss, which can be confused with an eating disorder by some health professionals.' Earlier this month, Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool opened a specialist ketamine clinic to treat young people under 16 for ketamine-induced uropathy. 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Guerrini agreed that doctors should be more alert to the possibility of ketamine addition. 'M aybe if I'm a GP and see a particularly young patient coming to me with a urinary tract problem like cystitis, be I'll be more inquisitive, ask the correct questions, and think maybe this patient is on ketamine.' Similarly, A&E doctors should develop 'clinical curiosity' if a young patient has high liver enzymes and severe pain. Guerrini called for better diagnostic tools, a national registry, and earlier screening to support treatment and help evaluate emerging therapies. 'It's important to increase awareness among professionals and encourage joined up working between substance misuse services, urology services, and mental health services, as these young people often have chronic depression along with physical issues caused by ketamine,' she said. Government Considering Reclassification Ketamine is currently controlled as a Class B substance. The maximum penalty for supplying and producing it is up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. Earlier this year, the Home Office asked independent experts for advice on whether ketamine should remain controlled as a Class B substance or become a Class A drug. Ahmed said that reclassification would increase penalties for dealers, but more importantly, ' it will hopefully discourage young people especially to even experiment with it at all'.
