Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
NHS in England misses all three cancer waiting-time targets
The NHS in England missed all three cancer waiting-time targets in September, covering diagnosis and the start of treatment.
The government aims for 80% of people referred with suspected cancer to get a diagnosis or have cancer ruled out within 28 days by March 2029, but the figure was 76.2% in September, down from 78.6% in August.
More than 71,500 cases took over four weeks to reach an outcome that month.
Among people eventually diagnosed with cancer, only 55% received confirmation within 28 days, and the rate was lower for some suspected cancers, including blood cancers.
Treatment also started too slowly: 91.5% began within 31 days of a decision to treat, against a 96% target, while 70.7% began within 62 days of an urgent referral, against an 85% target.
Cancer charities warned that delays can add to patients' distress and postpone vital treatment; the government says its National Cancer Plan aims to support earlier diagnosis and treatment.
NHS England missed all three cancer waiting-time targets, according to figures for September.
The share of people with suspected cancer who received a diagnosis or had cancer ruled out within 28 days was 76.2 per cent, below the Government’s 80 per cent target for March 2029.
More than 71,500 suspected cancer cases took longer than four weeks to reach an outcome in September.
Only 91.5 per cent of patients started treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat, and 70.7 per cent began treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.
Cancer charities called for urgent action, while the Department of Health and Social Care said all three standards were better than a year earlier.
- Who
- NHS England and patients referred for suspected cancer.
- What
- The NHS missed all three cancer waiting-time targets in England.
- When
- September 2026 figures, reported on 13 November 2026.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- Not stated
Cancer charities
Department of Health and Social Care
Performance
Cancer charities
Charities said patients were waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment, and called for urgent action.
Department of Health and Social Care
The department said all three cancer standards were better than a year earlier and more people were being diagnosed on time.
Response
Cancer charities
Cancer Research UK said delays risked delaying vital treatment and called for investment in NHS staff and resources.
Department of Health and Social Care
The department said its National Cancer Plan would help people get diagnosed earlier and begin treatment sooner.
78.6 per cent of people with suspected cancer received a diagnosis or had cancer ruled out within 28 days.
The figure fell to 76.2 per cent, and more than 71,500 suspected cancer cases took longer than four weeks to reach an outcome.
The figures were reported, showing the NHS had missed all three cancer waiting-time targets.
- 28-day target
- 80 per cent by March 2029
- 28-day performance
- 76.2 per cent in September, down from 78.6 per cent in August
- Cases taking over four weeks
- More than 71,500 in September
- 31-day treatment target
- 96 per cent; 91.5 per cent started treatment within 31 days
- 62-day treatment target
- 85 per cent; 70.7 per cent began treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral
1 source
What people are saying
Waiting to find out whether you have cancer or not can be agonising
Behind every long wait or delay is a person whose life could be on hold
Cancer waiting times are moving in the right direction, with all three cancer standards better than a year ago and around 290,000 more people over the last year getting diagnosed on time or having cancer ruled out, compared to the year before the election.