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Cancer Patients Face Cruel Delays: Months Lost to Treatment
19 Nov
Summary
- Over 840 cancer patients waited longer than 62 days for treatment.
- A stage four breast cancer patient experienced significant diagnostic delays.
- Confusion between health trusts complicated the patient's care pathway.
During April to June 2025, a critical period saw over 840 patients endure waits exceeding 62 days for cancer treatment following urgent referrals. This situation highlights systemic issues impacting timely care. The experiences of these patients underscore the profound emotional and physical toll of such delays.
A woman in her early 40s, diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, shared a harrowing account of her journey. She described her care as inadequate and impersonal, stemming from prolonged 'faffing around' between different health trusts and hospitals. This administrative confusion contributed significantly to her delayed diagnosis.
Her ordeal began in June 2025 with a subtle symptom, leading to a GP visit two weeks later. Despite a red flag for a lump in early July, it took nearly 10 weeks before her stage four cancer diagnosis in August. She commenced chemotherapy in late October, a process she described as horrific for her and her family.
