5,000 hit by delays in starting treatment for cancer

MORE than 5,000 Scots who have cancer have had their treatment delayed during the past five years.

Charities have called for action after figures were published showing that waiting time targets for the disease had been missed again.

From the start of January 2013 to the end of last December, 5,509 patients waited more than two months to start treatment, analysis by the Macmillan Cancer Support charity shows.

This includes the latest NHS figures, which show that in the final three months of 2017 only 87.1 per cent of cancer patients began receiving help within the target time.

The Scottish Government’s target is that 95 per cent of cancer patients urgently referred should begin their treatment within 62 days.

Gordon McLean, Macmillan Cancer Support’s national programme manager in Scotland, said: ‘It’s now five years since cancer waiting times were met.

‘That’s five years of people who are waiting to start cancer

‘Patently put lives at risk’

treatment facing unnecessary stress and anxiety.

‘The NHS failing to meet these targets is a clear sign it’s struggling. NHS staff work extremely hard, but they can’t make up for an outdated system.’ Gregor McNie, Cancer Research UK’s head of external affairs in Scotland, said: ‘It is an unacceptable situation which causes a great deal of anxiety for people.’

Scottish Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘We keep hearing how important it is for people to check themselves for cancer and immediately flag any concerns to a doctor.

‘Yet even if people do that thousands are waiting far too long for any treatment to begin.

‘The SNP Government is not holding up its side of the deal. That is unacceptable and patently puts lives at risks.’

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: ‘The Scottish Government is committed to beating cancer, investing more than £100million in our cancer strategy.

‘This is focused on improving the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of those affected by the disease, including £5million to improve cancer waiting times.’