A charity has shared deep concerns following a report calling for improvements in cancer services across Wales. The pan-cancer report revealed that no health board in Wales has met its waiting times target for cancer treatment since 2020.
Despite increased investment the national performance target of having 75% of cancer patients start their first treatment within 62 days has not been met by any Welsh health board, according to the report from Audit Wales published on Tuesday (January 14).
It also showed that performance deteriorated after the pandemic and has been stable since early 2022 with between 52% and 61% starting their treatment within the target time. Waiting times for some cancer types (lower gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and urological cancers) are particularly long, with some patients waiting more than 100 days to start treatment.
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Cancer survival outcomes in Wales have improved over recent years but are still poor compared to other countries, the report stated. Wales has the second highest cancer mortality rate in the UK after Scotland. with survival rates worse for people living in deprived areas.
Moreover the number of newly diagnosed cancers has increased by 22% from 2002 to 2021. Numbers of suspected cancer referrals have also increased. Those referrals create demand even though more than 84% of patients who are referred with a suspected cancer go on to find out that they do not have cancer.
Blood cancer, the UK’s fifth most common cancer, sees 41,000 diagnoses each year. Blood Cancer UK contributed to the report in 2024, attending a workshop to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the national approach. For the latest health and Covid news, sign up to our newsletter here
Hilary Webb from Blood Cancer UK said: “For those newly diagnosed with cancer in Wales, the findings of the Auditor General’s report are deeply concerning. People living with blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, in Wales deserve timely diagnosis, world-class treatment, and equitable care-regardless of where they live or their background. While the blood cancer workforce is doing an exceptional job under challenging circumstances, this report highlights an urgent need for stronger and clearer national leadership to drive the improvements required.
“We fully support the report’s recommendations and urge the Welsh Government and NHS Executive to ensure that people with blood cancer, alongside the blood cancer workforce are actively included in plans to address these critical issues. These findings echo those outlined in our UK Blood Cancer Action Plan-especially the stark reality that outcomes for cancer patients, particularly those from the most deprived backgrounds, lag behind comparable countries.
“Addressing challenges around data infrastructure and workforce capacity must now become a priority to ensure better outcomes for everyone affected by cancer in Wales. Anyone who is concerned about symptoms should not wait to seek getting advice from their doctor.”
Helen from Cardiff is now in remission from Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer experienced a number of challenges in getting a diagnosis. She said: “After discovering lumps on my neck, I initially went to an out of hours doctor as it was Easter. I then got an appointment with the GP who referred me for an ultrasound – at no point did she mention cancer.
“The ultrasound appointment came through for the end of June. In the meantime, my symptoms were getting worse and the lumps were spreading on my neck. I went back to the GP and thankfully a cancellation meant there was now space for me to receive an ultrasound and it was there the doctor told me I had enlarged lymph nodes and further investigations would be required.
“After undergoing several tests, the diagnosis was confirmed as lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. I started my chemotherapy the week I was due to have the original ultrasound, so if I hadn’t gone back to the GP when I did, the diagnosis would have been several months longer and cancer would have been spreading further.”