Ministers are under increasing pressure to address the cancer backlog after it was revealed that meeting a critical NHS target will take another year. NHS England has warned that the post-Covid catch-up drive has overwhelmed hospitals with the number of people seeking cancer treatment.
It was hoped that by March 2023, the backlog of patients waiting more than 62 days for an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer would be reduced to pre-pandemic levels.
But NHS officials told MPs that a new target of March 2024 is being discussed with ministers.
And they raised concerns that planned strikes by junior doctors could have a “further impact” on cancer patients.
The health service has seen a record number of referrals for cancer since March 2021.
This has been prompted by the number of people who put off seeking care during the pandemic now coming forward and the growth in cancer rates.
More people are also coming forward as a result of public awareness campaigns or high profile cancer deaths, such as Dame Deborah James.
It has led to fresh calls for further government investment in Radiotherapy – which is regarded as a secret weapon in the war on cancer.