Cancer patients becoming terminally ill and ‘dying because of long NHS waits’

CANCER patients are becoming terminally ill and dying because of long NHS waits, doctors warn.

The number of people waiting longer than three months for treatment, tests or appointments has doubled in a year to 10,189 – with 327,395 now suspected of having the disease.

One patient, 56-year-old Caroline Boulton, told the BBC cancelled breast scans during the pandemic led to her cancer spreading and reaching stage four – meaning it is incurable.

She said: “When I first found the lump it was pea-sized. By the time I got to see the consultant it was the size of a tangerine.

“I've now got stage-four cancer that I shouldn't have – and two years to live.”

Most tumours can be wiped out if caught early but once cancer spreads it becomes nearly impossible to cure.

Experts warn NHS delays mean thousands of patients are dying too soon or missing vital windows to beat the disease.

Macmillan Cancer Support said hospitals are “failing to recover” from Covid disruption.

Staff shortages and huge demand all over the NHS mean there are backlogs for scans, tests and treatments.

The Catch Up With Cancer campaign estimates that, since November, the NHS has missed its target of giving tests, appointments or starting treatment within 62 days for 52,477 patients.

The NHS said most people on the list do not get a cancer diagnosis and only around one per cent of patients wait longer than two months to start treatment.

Campaign founder and London cancer doctor, Professor Pat Price, said: “There will be tens of thousands of cancer patients who die unnecessarily because of the disruptions of Covid.

“This crisis will not be solved unless crucial cancer treatment services are given the proper investment they need.”

Private oncologist Professor Karol Sikora said: “Thousands and thousands of people will die, and many already have, from lockdown delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“How many people stayed home to 'save lives' unaware of the irreparable damage being done to their own health? It was a complete failure of public health messaging.”

An NHS spokesperson said: “Record levels of people are being referred for suspected cancer by their GP.

“We have written to local NHS services making clear that reducing cancer waits is a key priority, helping them redesign their care to meet the increased demand as well as investing billions in extra diagnostic and treatment capacity across the country.”

A Department of Health spokesperson added: “We are improving outcomes for cancer patients across England and our plan to bust the Covid backlogs and reduce cancer waiting times includes record investment.

“Our aim is to have 75 per cent of patients with an urgent GP referral either diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days, with nearly 71 per cent reached in May.”

 Patient, Caroline Boulton, 56, says cancelled scans during Covid and delays at every stage of treatment resulted in her incurable breast cancer.

She told the BBC: “I’ve now got stage four cancer that I shouldn’t have — and two years to live.”

Most tumours can be wiped out if caught early.

Staff shortages and huge demand mean there are huge NHS backlogs.

Catch Up With Cancer campaign founder and London doctor, Professor Pat Price, warned yesterday: “There will be tens of thousands of cancer patients who die un­necessarily because of the disruptions of Covid.”

A Department of Health spokesperson added: “We are improving outcomes for cancer patients across England and our plan to bust the Covid backlogs and reduce cancer waiting times includes record investment.

“Our aim is to have 75 per cent of patients with an urgent GP referral either diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days, with nearly 71 per cent reached in May.”