Nearly 9 in 10 people (84%) living in Northern Ireland with bowel cancer symptoms continue to face serious delays getting diagnosed for the country’s second biggest cancer killer. And Bowel Cancer UK believe the lack of political leadership at Stormont is contributing to this problem.
Figures published by Northern Ireland’s Department of Health today, Thursday 28 September, show only 16% of suspected bowel cancer patients are seen within the 62-day target from April to June 2023 for a confirmed diagnosis and then, if necessary, start treatment – this is 3% lower than the worst ever previous quarter (19%) and 2% lower than this time last year (18%).
The country’s waiting times for tests that can diagnose bowel cancer is severely lagging behind the rest of the UK. In the same time period (April to June 2023), 65% living in Scotland were seen within the 62 day period for a confirmed diagnosis or to rule bowel cancer out, in England 41% of patients and in Wales 37%.
The data published today also illustrates that although too many people are waiting to be diagnosed for bowel cancer, once they're diagnosed, they start treatment quickly. 98% of bowel cancer patients should begin treatment within 31 days from their diagnosis, and figures for April to June show that target is close to being reached (95%).
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Northern Ireland with nearly 1,200 people diagnosed every year in the country, and it’s the second biggest cancer killer. However, it shouldn’t be because it’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.
Bowel Cancer UK is bringing together leaders from all political parties in Northern Ireland as well as MLAs, civil servants, cancer charities, and political and health spokespeople. They will hear from speakers including researchers, clinicians, patients about the impact of a stalemate assembly on bowel cancer services, patients and their families on Monday 16 October 2023 at Stormont Parliament, Belfast.
Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive at Bowel Cancer UK, says:
“Today’s waiting times for bowel cancer tests has surpassed last quarter’s worst ever performance in Northern Ireland. As we stand witness to this dire situation, it becomes painfully evident that the stalemate political leadership at Stormont needs to be resolved.
“We’re almost 18 months from the launch of the desperately needed NI Cancer Strategy but because there is no Executive to fund the recommendations, it’s been left to rot. And patients and their families are paying a heavy price as these long waiting times are forcing hard working NHS staff to share the news with their patients that they’ve been diagnosed at a later stage when the disease is harder to treat and less chance of a cure.
“It is our collective responsibility to demand an Executive, to properly fund the NI Cancer Strategy and to prioritise early diagnosis for bowel cancer patients when the disease is easier to treat.”
Key facts and figures on National Statistics on cancer waiting times for the quarter ending June 2023, published today by Northern Ireland's Department of Health, are as follows:
Waiting times for first definitive treatment following a decision to treat (31 day target)
In the quarter ending June 2023, 2,769 patients commenced their first treatment for cancer following a decision to treat being taken, 0.5% (15) fewer than in the previous quarter (2,784), and 4.1% (109) more than in the same quarter last year (2,660).
87.9% (2,435) of those patients started treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat, compared with 87.8% (2,445) in the previous quarter and 86.2% (2,293) in the same quarter last year.
Waiting times for first treatment following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer (62 day target)
In the quarter ending June 2023, 1,371 patients started treatment following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer, 0.5% (7) fewer than in the previous quarter (1,378), and 6.4% (82) more than in the same quarter last year (1,289).
36.9% (506) of those patients started treatment within 62 days, compared with 34.8% (479) in the previous quarter and 37.7% (486) in the same quarter last year.
Patients first seen following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer (14 day target)
In the quarter ending June 2023, there were 3,457 patients seen by a breast cancer specialist following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer, 4.9% (180) fewer than in the previous quarter (3,637), and 10.5% (406) fewer than in the same quarter last year (3,863).
70.2% (2,426) of those referrals were seen within 14 days of their urgent referral for breast cancer, compared with 84.2% (3,062) in the previous quarter and 52.0% (2,008) in the same quarter last year.
Referrals for suspect breast cancer
In the quarter ending June 2023, there were 6,784 new referrals for suspect breast cancer, of which 67.2% (4,557) were urgent.