Cancer Waiting Times Annual Reports

These statistics are based on quarterly cancer waiting times data up to 2017/18 and revised final data from 2018/19 (monthly data is now equivalent to quarterly data). These reports provide an overall summary of the annual levels of activity (numbers of patients) and performance for cancer waiting times within a given financial year (April – March).

Latest Annual Report

Cancer Waiting Times Annual Report, 2020/21
Cancer Waiting Times Annual Report, 2019/20
Cancer Waiting Times Annual Report, 2018/19
Cancer Waiting Times Annual Report, 2017/18
Cancer Waiting Times Annual Report, 2016/17
Cancer Waiting Times Annual Report, 2015/16

Previous Annual Reports

Cancer Waiting Times Annual Reports, 2009/10 – 2014/15

Commissioner based data for periods prior to 01 April 2011 were only published annually.

Annual data for 2010/11 
Annual data for 2009/10

Annual statistical volumes (Breast cancer waiting times statistics by CCG)

The following file is a summary of 2015-16 Waiting Times for Suspected and Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients by CCG

Breast Cancer Waiting Times 2015-16 Data Extract (Commissioners based) (XLSX 87KB)

  • Overall, these figures show that the vast majority of CCGs are delivering the 62-day standard for people with breast cancer, with 205 out of 209 CCGs meeting the standard.
  • Over half of CCGs (111) had performance of 99% or higher against the 31-day first treatment target. 58 CCGs treated 100% of breast patients for the year within 31 days of decision to treat.
  • Near two-thirds of CCGs (135) had performance of 95% or higher against the 62-day referral to treatment target for breast patients. 28 CCGs treated 100% of breast patients for the year within 62 days of an initial GP referral.
  • Over 60% of CCGs (130 ) had performance of 95% or higher against the two-week wait suspected cancer referral target for breast patients.
  • Near 40% of CCGs (80 ) had performance of 95% or higher against the two-week wait suspected cancer referral target for breast symptomatic (cancer not initially suspected) patients.

However, the data do highlight some particular CCGs where performance is lagging behind the best. Earlier and faster diagnosis is a key priority for the national cancer programme, and in December 2016 NHS England announced over £200m to be allocated over the next two years to further support earlier diagnosis and people living with and beyond cancer.