05/01/2023

Over 88% Of Cancer Patients Begin Treatment Within 31 Days

Over 88% of people diagnosed with cancer began treatment within the 31 day target in the four months to September 2022, up from 86% in the previous four months.

The Department of Health today published the Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Times Statistics Release for the quarter ending September 2022.

The release gives details of the waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospitals during July, August and September 2022.

Key facts and figures are listed below:

Waiting times for first definitive treatment following a decision to treat (31 day target)

• During the quarter ending September 2022, 2,690 patients commenced their first treatment for cancer following a decision to treat being taken. Of these, 88.2% (2,373) started treatment within 31 days, compared with 86.2% (2,293 of 2,660 patients) in the quarter ending June 2022 and 90.0% (2,252 of the 2,501 patients) in the quarter ending September 2021.

Waiting times for first treatment following an urgent GP referral for suspect cancer (62 day target)

• During the quarter ending September 2022, 1,333 patients commenced their first treatment for cancer following an urgent referral for suspect cancer. Of these, 39.5% (527 patients) started treatment within 62 days, compared with 37.7% (486 of 1,289 patients) in the quarter ending June 2022 and 46.1% (532 of 1,154 patients) in the quarter ending September 2021.

Patients first seen following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer (14 day target)

• During the quarter ending September 2022, 3,738 patients were seen by a breast cancer specialist for a first assessment following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer. Of these, 63.2% (2,364) were seen within 14 days, compared with 52.0% (2,008 of 3,863 patients) in the quarter ending June 2022 and 74.5% (2,553 of 3,425 patients) in the quarter ending September 2021.

Referrals for suspect breast cancer

• During the quarter ending September 2022, 5,854 new referrals for suspect breast cancer were received; this compares to 5,938 in the quarter ending June 2022 and 6,158 in the quarter ending September 2021. Of the new referrals for suspect breast cancer in the quarter ending September 2022, 3,963 (67.7%) were classified as urgent. Referrals for suspect breast cancer can be for advice, assessment or both.


Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 May 2019
NI Cancer Patients May Rise By 60%
The number of new cancer patients in Northern Ireland could rocket by over 60% before 2035 if rigorous action is not taken now, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has warned.
07 November 2008
UCF Targets Cancer Awareness
The signs and symptoms of Northern Ireland's biggest cancer killer are being highlighted by a local charity this week with the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) using national 'Lung Cancer Awareness Month' as a springboard to target local people.
09 September 2011
Yellowhammer Portraits Are Framing Success
Two local cancer charities, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) and Friends of the Cancer Centre, have announced a unique fundraising initiative - the opportunity to buy a highly collectable piece of art by acclaimed Irish artist, Nicola Russell, while making a significant contribution to the work of both charities.
10 October 2011
Pink Lady Backs NI Cancer Research
A Saintfield woman, Noleen Adair, who knows about cancer, having discovered she had breast cancer at 22 to be faced with radical surgery and chemotherapy has been fundraising. Noleen refuses to put her life on hold and now, the charity she founded to help others facing breast cancer has presented a dazzling £50,000 to Friends of The Cancer Centre.
15 August 2008
Cancer Foundation Offers Artistic Distraction
A new art therapy service for cancer patients has been launched by the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) as a pilot in Londonderry. UCF's art therapy service is being rolled out regionally with this being the first time it will be offered to local cancer patients in their own community.