Responding to the latest NHS Wales Cancer Waiting Times figures, Rhian Stangroom-Teel, External Affairs Manager Wales, said:
“Despite some improvements in March, cancer waiting times in Wales remain unacceptably long. Worse still, people are being hit harder because of who they are or where they live. Behind every statistic is a real person, facing unbearable waits for tests or treatment.
“Time is ticking and there is only a year left to reach the Welsh Government’s goal of 80% of patients starting treatment on time. To stand the best chance of hitting this, we need to see action from the Welsh government now.
“No one in Wales should be denied world-class cancer care because of who they are or where they live — everyone deserves the best treatment possible.
“With the Senedd elections fast approaching it is vital cancer is made a priority. We want to see a new long-term cancer strategy that delivers change for people living with cancer in Wales.”
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 the latest official NHS data shows that performance against the national cancer waiting times target in Wales improved in March compared with the same month last year, however the target was still missed by a substantial margin, showing NHS cancer services in Wales remain under intense pressure[1]
- In March, almost 700 people with cancer in Wales waited too long to start treatment[2]
- The proportion of people who waited too long varied from 31% to 41% across local health boards in Wales[3]
- Waiting times also vary considerably depending on which type of cancer people have. For example, in March 2025 only 38% of people with urological cancer, 48% of those with lower gastrointestinal cancer and 48% of those with gynecological cancer started their treatment within 62 days from first being suspected of having cancer, compared with 88% of those with skin cancer and 81% of those with breast cancer[4]
- Recent analysis by Macmillan shows that despite some recent improvements the national cancer waiting times target was missed again in Wales in 2024 as a whole, and average monthly performance in 2024 was still worse than when the target was first introduced in 2021[5]
- Other recent 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[6]
- Previous Macmillan analysis shows that survival rates for at least two common types of cancer in Wales (colon and rectal cancer in women) are only just now reaching the levels that Sweden and Norway were already achieving in the early 2000s[7]
References
[1] Figures based on Suspected Cancer Pathways data from StatsWales, accessed 22nd May 2025. In March 2025, 63.5% of people with cancer in Wales (1,193 out of 1,880) started their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer (target: 75%). Performance in March 2025 was higher than in March 2024 (60.7%)[2] As per reference 1. In March 2025 there were 687 people with cancer in Wales who waited more than 62 days to start treatment from first being suspected of having cancer
[3] As per reference 1. Performance ranged from 58.8% for the Betsi Cadwaladr local health board to 68.7% for Cardiff & Vale. Performance figures are not usually reported for Powys as people with suspected cancer in this local health board area are usually referred to another area for cancer tests and treatments
[4] As per reference 1
[5] Figures based on Suspected Cancer Pathways data from StatsWales, accessed 20th February 2025. Average performance against the national cancer waiting times target in Wales in 2024 was 57.6%, compared with 56.2% in 2023, 56.2% in 2022 and 63.3% in 2021
[6] 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’
[7] See this press release for full analysis and sources: Macmillan Cancer Support. UK cancer care ‘stuck in the noughties’. June 2024