Cancer Surgery Delays Skyrocket: Lives at Risk

Surgery wait times for six common cancer types in the United States have increased from weeks to over a month. The affected cancers include breast, colon, lung, pancreatic, gastric, and esophageal cancers, impacting patients with stage 1 to 3 diagnoses eligible for surgical intervention.

This trend, consistent across studied cancers, is particularly concerning as longer delays can elevate the risk of disease spread and premature death. Research indicates that each month of delay in cancer treatment can heighten the risk of mortality by approximately 10 percent.

While staffing shortages and increased referrals contribute to these delays, certain demographics and locations are disproportionately affected. Black Americans, uninsured individuals, and those treated in the Western United States have faced the longest waits. Academic health centers also reported the most significant delays.

The study, utilizing data from 2012-2023, noted that while the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to some postponements, noticeable increases in wait times have persisted post-pandemic. Cancer experts emphasize that reducing surgical wait times is a modifiable factor that can immediately improve patient outcomes.