A worrying backlog of patients waiting more than 104 days for cancer treatment has built up in Merseyside over the latest lockdown.
NHS targets state cancer patients should wait no more than 62 days between being referred and beginning treatment.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT), which runs the Royal Liverpool, Aintree and Broadgreen hospitals, reported that cancer waiting lists "deteriorated" during the third surge after having improved over summer.
According to internal reports shared to the trust board, as of the end of February there were 199 patients waiting more than 104 days, including 154 without a decision on treatment.
In normal circumstances every patient waiting more than 104 days is considered a serious issue and the causes are investigated.
Health Service Journal reporter Lawrence Dunhill said the number of patients waiting more than 104 days had more than tripled in Merseyside and Cheshire, between February 2020 and February 2021, according to senior NHS sources.
Across the North West as a whole, 831 patients were waiting more than 104 days for cancer patients as of the beginning of February, 188% higher than in February 2020.
The HSJ reported that NHS sources believe this is mainly driven by large acute providers in Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
Although urgent cancer treatment has remained ongoing during the second and third covid lockdowns, pressure on surgical lists has grown.
According to LUHFT documents, in January 63.9% of cancer patients received their first treatment within 18 weeks.
According to the trust: "Prior to the third COVID surge, the Trust had been on track to reduce patients waiting over 104 days, without a decision to treat to pre COVID levels.
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"This has deteriorated as a result of third surge as well as capacity to see patients within two weeks of referral (in breast and colorectal services) due to limited outpatient capacity and increased two week wait referrals.
"To mitigate the impact of this, the Trust continues to work in close collaboration with the Cancer Alliance to maintain equitable access to care for patients on cancer pathways."
A spokeswoman for Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance told the ECHO: “Despite exceptionally high numbers of covid patients, cancer care has remained a priority in Cheshire and Merseyside throughout the pandemic, with urgent and essential treatment continuing to be provided.
"Our message remains the same - we would urge anyone who is concerned about a possible cancer symptom to contact their GP and get checked."
