Wait list for cancer tests are up by 44%

THERE has been a shock 44 per cent rise over the last year in people waiting for key tests to diagnose bowel, stomach, bladder and oesophageal cancer.

Cancer Research UK said 55,500 more people are now waiting to have checks in England compared to the same point last year.

Professor Charles Swanton, the charity’s chief clinician, said: “We need a clear and detailed plan in place to ensure increased capacity to diagnose cancer across the country to avoid further delays.”

Figures published by NHS England show more than half a million patients had been waiting more than six weeks for a key diagnostic test in May 2020, after being referred by a GP.

Warned

A total of 571,459 patients were waiting for one of 15 standard tests, including an MRI scan, non-obstetric ultrasound or gastroscopy, which helps diagnose oesophageal and stomach cancer.

There were more than 180,000 waiting for an endoscopy at the end of May – a rise of 44 per cent from the same time in 2019.

Of these, 66 per cent were waiting six weeks or longer.

Cancer Research UK said around 2.3 million fewer cancer tests have taken place since lockdown started.

The charity also warned that endoscopies were “proving particularly challenging to get back on track”.

This is because the tests are invasive and need more complex infection control.

All the data is set against a backdrop of fewer people being referred for tests, with some people too frightened to seek help from their GP.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive, said: “It’s worrying there is an increasing number of patients whose lives are on pause while they wait for tests that could impact their chances of survival.”