Responding to the latest NHS Scotland Cancer Waiting Times figures, Kate Seymour, Head of External Affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
“Today’s figures confirm that in 2024 almost 5,000 people with cancer in Scotland waited longer than the Scottish government’s target of two months to be diagnosed and treated for cancer. This figure has only improved marginally from 2023.
“With the cold weather putting an even greater strain on an already stretched healthcare system, October, November and December alone saw more than 1,100 people wait too long for diagnosis and treatment at a difficult time in the run up to Christmas.
“People in Scotland deserve better and want to see world-class cancer care become a reality for everyone, no matter who they are or where they live.”
“Today’s figures confirm that in 2024 almost 5,000 people with cancer in Scotland waited longer than the Scottish government’s target of two months to be diagnosed and treated for cancer. This figure has only improved marginally from 2023.
“With the cold weather putting an even greater strain on an already stretched healthcare system, October, November and December alone saw more than 1,100 people wait too long for diagnosis and treatment at a difficult time in the run up to Christmas.
“People in Scotland deserve better and want to see world-class cancer care become a reality for everyone, no matter who they are or where they live.”
Notes to editor
- Macmillan’s recent analysis has revealed the number of people living with cancer in the UK has surged to almost 3.5 million, the highest figure ever reported for the UK and including around 290,000 people in Scotland [1]
- If you or someone you love is affected by cancer, we’re here, whatever you need to ask. Call Macmillan’s free support line on 0808 808 00 00, open every day 8am to 8pm or visit our website at www.macmillan.org.uk.
Key facts
- Macmillan’s analysis of today’s official NHS data shows that despite some recent signs of improvement, in 2024 almost 5,000 people with cancer in Scotland waited more than two months to start treatment following an urgent referral [2]
- 2024 was also the joint worst year on record for the 31-day cancer waiting time target and the second worst year on record for the 62-day target [3]
- Between October and December last year, while performance improved compared with the previous quarter and the same quarter in 2023, both national cancer waiting times targets were still missed, showing that NHS cancer services in Scotland remain under intense pressure [4]
- Other new figures from Macmillan Cancer Support show that half of people currently having cancer treatment in the UK (50%) are worried about general pressures on the NHS affecting their chances of survival [5]
- Today’s NHS data shows that in October to December 2024, more than 350 people newly diagnosed with cancer in Scotland waited more than a month to start treatment following the clinical decision to do so, and over 1,100 waited more than two months to start treatment following their initial urgent referral for suspected cancer [6].
- For some cancer types, performance remains particularly concerning. For example, from October to December fewer than half of men with prostate cancer (43%) and only around half of people with urological cancer (49%) and women with cervical cancer (52%) started treatment within two months of an urgent referral for suspected cancer [7].
- Previous Macmillan analysis showed 2023 was the worst year on record for cancer waiting times in Scotland. In 2023 almost 1,500 people with cancer in Scotland waited more than a month to start treatment following the clinical decision to do so, and just over 5,000 waited more than two months to start treatment following an urgent referral for suspected cancer [8].
References
[1] Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer prevalence. Accessed March 2025
[2] Public Health Scotland. Cancer waiting times — 1 October to 31 December 2024. Accessed March 2025. Between January and December 2024 inclusive, 4,820 people started first treatment more than 62 days after an urgent referral for suspected cancer via a GP, dentist, screening or a direct hospital referral
[3] As per ref 2. In 2024, annual performance against the national 31-day target was 94.6%, the same as in 2023. Annual performance against the national 62-day target was 72.3%, compared with 71.6% in 2023. ‘Worst on record’ based on published data going back to 2012
[4] As per ref 2
[5] Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov survey of 2,057 adults in the UK who have had a cancer diagnosis, including 223 people going through treatment. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd and 27th January 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of people living with cancer in the UK (aged 18+). Survey question was as follows: How worried, if at all, are you about the following? ‘General pressures on the NHS affecting my chances of survival’
[6] As per ref 2. In October to December 2024, 357 people waited more than 31 days to start treatment following the clinical decision to do so for a newly diagnosed primary cancer, and 1,143 waited more than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent referral for suspected cancer
[7] As per ref 2
[8] Public Health Scotland. Cancer waiting times — 1 October to 31 December 2023. Accessed March 2024. In 2023, annual performance against the national 31-day target was 94.6%, compared with 95.0% in 2022. Annual performance against the national 62-day target was 71.6%, compared with 74.9% in 2022. A total of 1,499 people waited more than 31 days to start treatment following the clinical decision to do so, and 5,009 waited more than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent referral for suspected cancer. ‘Worst year on record’ based on published data going back to 2012
[2] Public Health Scotland. Cancer waiting times — 1 October to 31 December 2024. Accessed March 2025. Between January and December 2024 inclusive, 4,820 people started first treatment more than 62 days after an urgent referral for suspected cancer via a GP, dentist, screening or a direct hospital referral
[3] As per ref 2. In 2024, annual performance against the national 31-day target was 94.6%, the same as in 2023. Annual performance against the national 62-day target was 72.3%, compared with 71.6% in 2023. ‘Worst on record’ based on published data going back to 2012
[4] As per ref 2
[5] Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov survey of 2,057 adults in the UK who have had a cancer diagnosis, including 223 people going through treatment. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd and 27th January 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of people living with cancer in the UK (aged 18+). Survey question was as follows: How worried, if at all, are you about the following? ‘General pressures on the NHS affecting my chances of survival’
[6] As per ref 2. In October to December 2024, 357 people waited more than 31 days to start treatment following the clinical decision to do so for a newly diagnosed primary cancer, and 1,143 waited more than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent referral for suspected cancer
[7] As per ref 2
[8] Public Health Scotland. Cancer waiting times — 1 October to 31 December 2023. Accessed March 2024. In 2023, annual performance against the national 31-day target was 94.6%, compared with 95.0% in 2022. Annual performance against the national 62-day target was 71.6%, compared with 74.9% in 2022. A total of 1,499 people waited more than 31 days to start treatment following the clinical decision to do so, and 5,009 waited more than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent referral for suspected cancer. ‘Worst year on record’ based on published data going back to 2012