'Postcode lottery' for the removal of cancerous tumours, study finds
The Labour Party's analysis of NHS cancer care shows one in five patients in some regions are waiting longer than two months to have cancerous tumours removed
An analysis of NHS cancer care shows one in five patients in parts of the UK - including the West Midlands - are waiting longer than two months to have cancerous tumours removed.
That's according to Labour's look at the figures - which claims there's a "postcode lottery" - with fewer than one in 10 waiting that long in Greater Manchester.
The data found patients in the West Midlands, Thames Valley, Surrey, and Sussex are waiting the longest for an appointment to have their tumours taken out following a cancer diagnosis.
In West Yorkshire and Harrogate, nearly 50% of patients requiring chemotherapy have to wait eight weeks, which, according to Labour's figures, is more than twice as many compares to Oxfordshire the surrounding areas.
The Opposition also found that people living in poorer parts of the country are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage, with 47% diagnosed late in the most deprived communities.
That figure lies at 39% with the least deprived communities.
In 2023 so far, it's claimed by the Labour party that more than 95,000 people with an urgent referral for suspected cancer have had to wait more than two weeks to see a consultant.
Shadow public health minister Andrew Gwynne said: "Receiving the fast and quality cancer care should not depend on your postcode.
"Thirteen years of Conservative mismanagement of the NHS has left the health service unable to be there for too many people when they need it.
"Getting cancer patients treated on time again will be a mission of the next Labour government."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Cancer survival rates are improving, with the overall first year survival rate up 9% to 75%.
"More people are also being seen and treated by record numbers of staff than ever before but we know there is more to do.
"That is why we have made cutting waiting lists one of the Government's top five priorities backed by a long-term workforce plan.
"We have also opened 114 community diagnostic centres delivering 4.6 million tests, including to detect cancer."
A source close to Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: "The Health Secretary recently announced further action on addressing inequalities in cancer outcomes with a national rollout of the hugely successful lung cancer screening programme.
"No such initiative exists in the Labour-run Welsh NHS, where cancer patients also wait longer to start treatment."