More than a third of patients with suspected cancer are waiting too long to start their first definitive treatment.
The Welsh Government has released its first set of suspected cancer pathway (SCP) figures reported from a new system which collects patient level data.
The new system, based on clinical advice, claims to show the "real time" it takes from the point of suspected cancer right through to treatment.
It replaces the two former pathways of urgent suspected cancer (USC) and non-urgent suspected cancer (NUSC) which are being retired.
Under the old system, the clock started ticking once the decision to treat cancer was made - and that did not include any investigative work beforehand.
However, the new set-up will mean that things begin at the very earliest opportunity when the disease is first suspected.
The aim of the new single pathway is for all Welsh patients to begin their treatment no later than 62 days from the first time cancer is suspected.
However, the figures reveal that just 65.6% of patients started definitive cancer treatment within 62 days from point of suspicion. The target is 75%.
Today's published statistics for December 2020 show:
- 1,345 patients started first definitive treatment on the suspected cancer pathway in December 2020. This is 10% fewer people than in December 2019.
- Of these, 882 (65.6%) patients started definitive cancer treatment within 62 days from point of suspicion. This is an improvement of 2.1 percentage points from November 2020 (63.5%).
- 7,999 patients were confirmed as not having cancer (85.6% of all cancer patients).
Wales is the first UK nation to report on cancer waiting times in this new "streamlined" fashion, with officials claiming the pathway has been designed to cut waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The Welsh Government confirmed a more detailed dashboard will be available from next month which will show more information on waiting times such as the wait to first appointment, the wait to first diagnostic and breakdowns by health board, gender and tumour site.
Figures by health board for December 2020:
Betsi Cadwaladr
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment: 307
Number of patients downgraded (informed they do not have cancer): 1,169
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 220
Percentage of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 71.7%
Hywel Dda
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment: 208
Number of patients downgraded (informed they do not have cancer): 1,002
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 137
Percentage of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 65.9%
Aneurin Bevan
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment: 269
Number of patients downgraded (informed they do not have cancer): 1,842
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 177
Percentage of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 65.8%
Cardiff & Vale
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment: 168
Number of patients downgraded (informed they do not have cancer): 1,149
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 108
Percentage of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 64.3%
Cwm Taf Morgannwg
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment: 216
Number of patients downgraded (informed they do not have cancer): 1,577
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 132
Percentage of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 61.1%
Swansea Bay
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment: 177
Number of patients downgraded (informed they do not have cancer): 1,238
Number of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 108
Percentage of patients starting their first definitive treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer: 61%
Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: "Cancer will affect one in two of us during our lifetimes, remaining the biggest single cause of premature death in Wales and will touch the lives of most of us at some point.
"It is clear that during the pandemic that many patients with suspected cancer have not presented to their GP. It is critical that you should visit your GP as soon as possible if you have any kind of cancer symptoms.
"We want to ensure that anyone who is suspected of having cancer in Wales has access to timely and appropriate treatment that will deliver the best possible outcome, or be told as soon as possible that they do not have cancer.
"While the figures published today are below the target of 75% that has been set, they are a much more accurate way to measure how long it takes for a suspected cancer to be referred, investigated and for treatment to be started. We know much more work is needed to improve performance."
Richard Pugh, head of partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support and Chair of the Wales Cancer Alliance, said: "We welcome the Welsh Government's continued use of the suspected cancer pathway, which means Wales is the only UK nation to measure cancer waiting times from the point cancer is suspected rather than when a referral is received.
"This gives us a more accurate picture of real cancer waiting times and has unearthed hidden waits, which has been even more important during the coronavirus pandemic during which screening and cancer diagnostics have been disrupted.
"A cancer diagnosis can't wait so we would urge anyone with new concerning symptoms, such as an ongoing cough, a new lump or unexplained bleeding, to contact their GP as soon as possible.
"Anyone who wants information, support or a chat relating to cancer can contact Macmillan free on 0808 808 0000."
The figures also showed that around 1,800 fewer people started treatment for cancer in Wales between April and December 2020 compared to April and December 2019 - a reduction of 14%.
Andy Glyde, Cancer Research UK’s senior external affairs manager in Wales, said: "The pandemic is having a devastating impact on cancer patients and we can see from this report that people are waiting too long for treatment. It's disappointing but not surprising this target has been missed.
"To turn this around, we urgently need the Welsh Government to launch a new cancer strategy which focuses on diagnosing cancer earlier. This is important because if cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is more likely to be successful."
