Improving cancer test wait times should be a priority

EW Scots are left untouched by cancer; the fact that the disease is the country’s most common cause of death comes as no surprise to most of us.

All the experts agree that early diagnosis is key to the best outcomes while the stress on those waiting to find out whether they have the disease must be considerable. With this in mind, it is particularly worrying that 10 per cent of patients are not being diagnosed and treated within the 62-day time limit set down by the Scottish Government. In the Highlands, Grampian and Greater Glasgow, an even higher proportion of patients are waiting too long, according to the latest figures. It is likely that the backlog is building as patients queue for diagnostic tests and find out more about their disease.

Cancer charities – and, no doubt, the affected patients and their families – are right to describe these latest figures as unacceptable; indeed they are the worst since records began in 2010. The national target has not been met for three years. Now that we have this information, the best response is to work out where and why the queues are longest and immediately strive to improve the journey time. After all, a few weeks could mean the difference between life and death.

It should also be pointed out that a second key target – to ensure treatment starts within a month following diagnosis – was successfully met for 96 per cent of patients. Indeed, the average waiting time to commence treatment is just six days.

Clearly more needs to be done to give patients access to tests. It is, after all, only a few months since the Scottish Government unveiled its ambitious £100 million cancer strategy. Considering that much of the focus was on diagnosis, it is disappointing that investment has not been targeted sooner in the areas most in need of improvement. This should happen as soon as possible . The wellbeing of patients and their families depends on it.