‘Categorically unacceptable and entirely avoidable’: Leading charity blasts UK governments over cancer care delays

The UK’s leading cancer charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, is today launching a new campaign called ‘What Are We Waiting For?’, calling out inaction from UK governments as its latest analysis finds that an additional 180,000 people — equivalent to a population the size of Ipswich or Dundee — have waited ‘too long’ for vital tests to diagnose cancer and to start treatment over the past decade because of missed targets[iii]. The charity blames this shameful figure, calculated from cancer waiting times targets being missed since 2014, on long-standing failures from governments across the UK to support NHS cancer services.

These failures — which include chronic staff shortages and a lack of government funding — are having a significant impact on people’s lives. Additional new research from the charity suggests as many as 100,000 people in the UK would be in a better position with their cancer had it not been for the long waits and delays seen over the past 10 years. The stark figures show that one in five (23%) of those diagnosed in the past decade who have experienced long waits for NHS cancer care said they believe their cancer had got worse as a result[iv] — equating to at least 100,000 people across the UK[v]. This includes those whose cancer has spread or is now incurable, and those who have fewer treatment options, such as surgery no longer being possible.

Jules, from Hastings, was diagnosed at 37 in November 2021 with stage 4 lung cancer, which has since spread to her spine and pelvis. As her cancer is incurable, she relies on her three-monthly CT scans to keep her informed about her prognosis. She continues to live life with her partner and son to the full, but constantly feels she has to advocate for herself to get the care she needs, leaving her feeling angry and frustrated. Jules says:

“The pressures on the NHS are already showing, and it’s heart-breaking. Just last week, I was called the day before my three-month scan to tell me it was cancelled once again. I rely on my scans; they are my lifeline. I shouldn’t be ringing up my team begging for my appointments.

“I am living life heightened where I’m so on edge about my appointments being cancelled, and so anxious that my phone is going to ring with another cancellation. It’s affecting everybody around me; my family, my friends, my son, they’re all suffering. I have the disease in my body, but my husband and my son are on the same journey with me. The governments across the UK need to listen to us.”

Macmillan’s data analysis reveals that performance against Government-set cancer waiting times targets fell to the worst on record in 2022 in all four UK nations[vi]. In addition, major studies have shown the UK has historically had some of the lowest cancer survival rates in Europe[vii].

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:

“The figures we are talking about today only illustrate what Macmillan, NHS staff, people with cancer and many other organisations have been sounding the alarm on since long before the pandemic. Cancer care is in crisis after years of governments failing to act. Every single person who has faced a worse outcome from their cancer diagnosis because of delays will know the devastating impact that waiting has had on their lives, from the burden of anxiety that their cancer is growing, and for many, the devastating news that their cancer is now incurable. This is categorically unacceptable and entirely avoidable.

“Governments can turn things around if they act now. Immediate action will start to tackle the issues people are facing right now, and governments must implement longer term solutions for everyone affected by cancer in the years to come. That is why Macmillan is launching our new ‘What Are We Waiting For?’ campaign, calling on all four UK governments to commit to providing the NHS with the funding and support needed to ensure everyone, everywhere gets the potentially life-saving cancer care they desperately need, on time.

“For anyone worried about delays to their treatment, Macmillan’s Support Line can help, whether you have questions about cancer or just need a listening ear.”

Heartbreakingly, the charity has been hearing from NHS cancer professionals who have been going above and beyond to care for patients. It hears how they are being left to face an impossible challenge, without the numbers of staff or resources they need to provide quality care as quickly as they need to. Macmillan warns that this is indicative of a much bigger problem — a cancer system ‘in crisis’, which risks going backwards without urgent attention from ministers.

Naman Julka-Anderson works as an Advanced Practice Therapeutic Radiographer and an Allied Health Professional Clinical Advisor for Macmillan Cancer Support:

“Healthcare professionals across the UK are doing all we can. We’re burnt out, but we still want to help patients every day, so we still turn up to work, even though we might only have two colleagues working when we need ten.

“I’ve had patients arrive for their radical chemotherapy appointment, who wait 3 hours only to be told that because of staff shortages, we can’t deliver their treatment today; it’s inhumane. Patients are really struggling with having to constantly push for their own treatment, support, and just about anything that they need, due to Government inaction.

“We feel helpless. It feels like the politicians are hearing us, but they are not really listening to our pleas. We’re trying everything we can, but we’re not getting the support that we need.”

Macmillan is today launching a campaign ‘What Are We Waiting For?’, urging politicians to take urgent action to address this critical situation, highlighting that waiting times targets can be met if hospital trusts and health boards across the UK have the right resources.

Specifically, the charity is urging governments to prioritise investment in the number of healthcare professionals who care for cancer patients. This is because there are currently not enough professionals to care for the growing numbers of patients, which means people must wait longer for treatment and care. Over the past five years, while the overall number of people working in the NHS has increased, there are still not enough health professionals to meet the growing level of patient need.

As well as investment in professionals, to ease pressures in the short-term Macmillan wants to see governments:

The charity is also asking the UK public to join its call to governments to act now, to make sure everyone with cancer gets the treatment they need, when they need it. People can find out how to take action at macmillan.org.uk/whatarewewaitingfor.

Macmillan will do whatever it takes to support people through long waits and delays to cancer treatment. For anyone concerned about delays, whatever the question, Macmillan is at the end of the phone and online to provide vital support. Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk.

 [i] Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov surveys of 4,096 adults in the UK who have had a cancer diagnosis. Fieldwork was undertaken between 4th — 28th November 2022 (2,020 adults) and 20th March — 8th April 2023 (2,076 adults). The surveys were carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of people living with cancer in the UK (aged 18+). Surveys included 2,654 people who’ve been diagnosed within the last ten years and use the NHS for their cancer care. Question wording in relation to people facing worse cancer outcomes was as follows: “You have experienced waits of several weeks or months, or delayed appointments, during your cancer treatment and care. What, if anything, has been the impact of this? Please select all that apply”. 6% of those diagnosed within the last ten years had experienced delays and selected at least one of the following options: My cancer has progressed and/or spread, My cancer symptoms have got worse, My cancer is now incurable, I have fewer treatment options, Surgery is no longer an option for my cancer.

[ii] The survey results from ref i are extrapolated using 10 year prevalence figures published by each UK nation. The total UK 10 year prevalence is 1,791,209, a total of England (1,522,090), Scotland (142,355), Wales (79,578) and Northern Ireland (47,186). Data from (Accessed May 2023):