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Recent years have seen pressure on NHS cancer services increase, causing delays in diagnosis and access to treatment for patients.
The government’s cancer waiting times standards show whether the NHS is meeting its targets for diagnosing and treating cancer. These standards also give us an indication of the extent of the pressure that the NHS in England is under.
Faster cancer testing, diagnosis, and treatment reduce stress and improves outcomes, especially when cancer is caught early. Cancer diagnosed and treated at an early stage results in more successful treatment and better outcomes for patients.
December 2023 marked the first report of cancer waiting times based on new NHS England targets. There are 3 key cancer waiting time standards with associated targets that indicate how well cancer services are doing. Cancer Research UK’s latest article shares the results for July 2025 in England:
The Faster Diagnosis Standard: Target Met
- 76.6% of people were diagnosed, or had cancer ruled out, within 28 days of an urgent referral in March 2025. The target is 75%.
The 62-day referral to treatment standard: Target Missed
- Only 69.2% of people in England received their diagnosis and started their first treatment within 2 months (or 62 days) of an urgent referral in July 2025. The target is 85% and has not been met since December 2015.
The 31-day decision to treat standard: Target Missed
- 92.4% of people started treatment within 31 days of doctors deciding a treatment plan in July 2025. The target is 96%.
The above data are specific to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own cancer waiting times targets.
What does this mean for people affected by cancer?
We need to remember that behind these numbers are real people going through an incredibly anxious time. Also, the data are different for different types of cancer. Some cancers are more aggressive than others, and the impact of this can be negative. People with more aggressive cancers are prioritised for early treatment, where possible.
There can be good reasons why some people have to wait longer than others for treatment. For example, it can take longer to plan treatments intending to cure someone’s cancer, and sometimes patients need pre-habilitation before starting treatment to give them the best chance of recovering well.
But it is a big concern that missed targets mean people are waiting and worrying longer for potentially lifesaving cancer treatments.
However, delays shouldn’t put people off going to their doctor if they are worried about symptoms. It’s always better to be on the waiting list than not at all, and if doctors are concerned, they will push things through as quickly as possible.
Getting back on track
Again, these figures show that far too many people are waiting for the treatment they need, despite the best efforts of the NHS. These delays cause anxiety and can have an effect on outcomes and the treatments available.
This month, reporting of the faster diagnosis standard has changed. Although it is encouraging that this target was met again this month, the numbers are largely driven by more people having cancer ruled out, rather than speeding up cancer diagnoses. Data from Cancer Research UK shows that the proportion of people diagnosed on time following an urgent referral for cancer has actually fallen since 2021. More must be done to support early diagnosis, such as expanding diagnostic capacity in hospitals.
The faster diagnosis standard will increase to 80% by March 2026; a promising step towards the original proposed target of 95%. Raising the target will help make progress on diagnosing more cancer patients quicker.
Unfortunately, there was no specific mention of cancer waiting times in the recent 10-Year Health Plan. It is hoped that Cancer Research UK’s new faster diagnosis data show how important that the forthcoming National Cancer Plan, due to be published later this year, commits to meeting all cancer waiting time targets during this parliament.
