Radiotherapy waiting 'too long'

Radiotherapy can reduce the chances of some cancers recurring

More than half of cancer patients needing radiotherapy wait for longer than the recommended maximum, a survey says.

The Royal College of Radiologists poll of 2,688 patients warned the delays were risking patient health.

Some 53% of patients whose primary care was radiotherapy waited for over four weeks, while 57% having radiotherapy after surgery had to wait too long.

The government said it was already taking action to tackle the problem.

We hope that this radiotherapy 'stock take' will provide answers about how the UK can deal with this growing problem as quickly as possible Dr Sarah Rawlings, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Staff shortages have been cited as one of the major causes of delays.

The college has recommended it is good practice to see patients within two weeks, but they should not wait beyond four.

But for palliative care to reduce the symptoms, the maximum wait was two weeks. The survey showed a third of patients waited longer than that.

The results of the survey showed that the situation has improved since 2003, but was actually worse than 1997.

Dr Michael Williams, of the Royal College of Radiologists, said: "The wait varies substantially across the country, some centres treat all patients within target, others do not achieve this for any of their patients.

Months

"The college believes that prompt treatment is essential for all patients as there is good evidence that delay allows tumours to grow, which may worsen outcomes."

Dr Sarah Rawlings, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said she had even heard of women waiting up to four months.

"Women with breast cancer want quick and effective treatment and we hope that this radiotherapy 'stock take' will provide answers about how the UK can deal with this growing problem as quickly as possible."

And Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the waits were "unacceptable".

"Ministers should urgently address vacancies among radiographers which have added to the problems."

But a Department of Health spokeswoman said action was being taken.

"Much has been done already to improve radiotherapy service provision and we are taking wide ranging action to tackle the issue of longer waits in some parts of the country.

"Radiotherapy staffing levels are increasing, we are installing new radiotherapy treatment facilities and streamlining care for patients."