Macmillan Cancer Support has warned that while Wales cancer treatment waiting times have improved, the latest data published on Thursday shows almost half of people with cancer in Wales were not treated on time.
Data released today shows in November only 53.9 per cent of people with cancer in Wales started their treatment on time – with 807 people facing anxious delays to treatment.
While Macmillan welcomes this improvement on the previous month’s performance, which was the worst on record, the charity warns almost half of people with cancer in Wales are still experiencing treatment delays.
The data also shows concerning variations in treatment times for different cancer types with less than a third of those with gynaecological cancers (30.4%) and 37.1% of head and neck cancers being treated on time.
Glenn Page, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, said: “Macmillan welcomes the improvement in waiting times this month although they still show that just under half of people (46.1%) with cancer were not treated on time in November.
“We know cancer care staff are working valiantly to tackle increased demand and referrals and we hope this improvement marks a new direction of travel.
“Later this month, the Welsh Government will publish its Cancer Services Improvement Plan. People living with cancer deserve a plan that is going to deliver urgent action to tackle waiting times, and ensure hard-working cancer care staff have the right resources, staff and capacity.
“Macmillan continues to do everything it can to help, and we are here for anyone with cancer and their loved ones. For advice, information or a chat, you can call us free on 0808 808 0000 or visit macmillan.org.uk.”
