Cancer patients ‘waiting longer than they should’ as treatment targets missed

Cancer patients are “waiting longer than they should” for treatment, campaigners insisted as new figures showed a fall in the number being treated within the target time.

In the first three months of this year 72.2% of patients referred to medics with an urgent suspicion of cancer started treatment within 62 days – down from 72.6% in the previous three months and below the Scottish Government target of 95%.

No health board in Scotland achieved the goal of having 95% of patients urgently referred start their treatment within two months, new figures from Public Health Scotland showed – adding this target has not been met since the end of 2012.

The figures showed while 86.3% of patients referred after breast screening started treatment in 62 days, this happened for less than three-fifths (57.6%) of those referred after bowel cancer screening.

Another target, which sets out that patients should have their first treatment within 31 days of a decision being made to treat them, was also missed, albeit narrowly.

This was achieved for 94.5% of patients in the first three months of 2026 – although Public Health Scotland noted this goal was achieved in the previous three quarters.

Dr Sorcha Hume, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Scotland, said “the scale of the challenge facing the new Scottish Government is clear with people waiting longer than they should to start cancer treatment”.

She said: “It is crucial that cancer is diagnosed early when treatment is more likely to be successful.

“Despite the best efforts of NHS staff, who are working tirelessly under pressure, services are struggling to keep pace with demand.

“Urgent action is needed, including investing in staff and equipment. This must be matched by progress on prevention and research to help more people live longer, better lives.

“Without it, patients in Scotland will continue to be let down.”

Labour health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie said: “These shameful figures show too many Scots are being let down in their time of need.”

She added: “Swift cancer treatment can be lifesaving but too many people are missing out on the urgent care they need.

“For years we have heard the same empty promises from the SNP, but things are still getting worse instead of better – despite the tireless efforts of NHS staff.

“Cancer is Scotland’s biggest killer and the SNP cannot continue to ignore this crisis.

“The Health Secretary must step up and take action to get services back on track, and get Scots the urgent treatment they need.”

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Adam Harley said: “The SNP government has never once met the cancer waiting-times target in the 13 years since it was introduced.

“Getting seen in good time can be lifesaving in cancer cases, so the failure to meet this target is doubly concerning. We urgently need to turn this situation around.”

In total, 7,225 cancer patients were treated over January to March 2026 under the 31-day standard – with this 13.1% higher than the total for last three months of 2019.

Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “These latest official figures illustrate that our exceptional NHS workforce is treating more people across Scotland and dealing with significant pressures in doing so.”