Statement on Latest Cancer Waiting Times - March 2024

Statement from Judi Rhys MBE, Chief Executive of Tenovus Cancer Care. 

"Once again, every health board in Wales has failed to meet its targets for overall cancer waiting times.  Today's figures do reveal a welcome jump in the percentage of people being treated within 62 days but still falls unacceptably short of the 75% target. 

In March, 60.5% of people were treated within the target compared to 53.4% the previous month. But this improvement hasn't filtered through to all cancers, including gynaecological cancers, which now has some of the longest waits in the Welsh NHS. 

In February, just 32.2.% of people were treated for a gynaecological cancer within 62 days from point of suspicion, but this had fallen unacceptably to 31.8% in March. This is a shocking trend that must be reversed. 

Today, one week after the launch of Claire's Campaign, Tenovus Cancer Care repeats its calls for Welsh Government to act urgently, to ensure equity in the NHS, so women are not failed, and their voices heard."

Last week, Tenovus Cancer Care launched Claire's Campaign with cancer campaigner, Claire O'Shea.  

Claire, 41, from Cardiff was diagnosed with Uterine Leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, almost two years after first raising symptoms with her GP. 

Initially she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. She is now undergoing life extending treatment. 

Read more about her campaign here.