Over 106,000 cancer patients left in limbo as 80% of NHS trusts missed 62 day cancer target last year

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Over 106,000 cancer patients left in limbo as 80% of NHS trusts missed 62 day cancer target last year

Shocking new data analysed by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that a record 106,810 cancer patients waited more than 62 days to start urgent treatment in 2025, the highest number on record.

The Liberal Democrats are campaigning for a guarantee that 100% of patients start treatment for cancer within 62 days from urgent referral, with this right written into law.

Research shows that every four-week delay reduces patient survival by an average of 10%.

The party has analysed data for the whole of 2025, which reveals that 140 trusts (83%) missed the NHS standard that 85% of patients be treated within 62 days.

Twelve NHS trusts reported that at least half of cancer patients were waiting more than the 62-day standard.

The party would deliver its cancer treatment guarantee through 200 extra staffed radiotherapy machines, new radiotherapy centres to end “radiotherapy deserts”, and over 3,000 more cancer nurses to ensure everyone has a specialist supporting them.

Liberal Democrats have also called for a new “Cancer Fellowship” scheme to welcome scientists from the US whose cancer research has been defunded by the Trump administration.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Ed Davey said:

“Like millions of people, my life was turned upside down by cancer, which took both my parents when I was young.

“It is completely heartbreaking to see just how many people are waiting months on end to start treatment after being diagnosed. It cannot continue.

“That’s why the Liberal Democrats will make improving cancer care a top priority, and fight every day for better care for you and your loved ones.”

Commenting, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Primary Care and Cancer, Helen Maguire MP, said:

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis is one of the scariest moments a person can face. But for over 106,000 people last year, that fear was compounded by an agonising wait for treatment to actually begin.

“Under the Conservatives, Cancer services were left on their knees, leaving thousands of cancer patients on dangerously long waiting lists. But Labour has not moved fast enough and people are still waiting endlessly for the care they desperately need.

“The Liberal Democrats are the party of the NHS and we will not accept the unacceptable for patients. Under our plans, we would guarantee 100% of cancer patients to be treated within 62 days, backed by 200 new staffed radiotherapy machines and thousands of extra cancer nurses.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

First reported by the Daily Mail.

Data can be found here. 

Analysis of NHS cancer waiting time data for 2025 shows 106,810 patients waited more than 62 days from an urgent GP referral to their first treatment.

The 85% operational standard was missed by 140 out of 167 reporting trusts.

In 12 trusts, 50% or more of patients waited longer than 62 days.

Research on the impact of delays on survival rates can be found in the BMJ.