Cancer patient waiting times at crisis point as effects of virus focus exposed
Covid-19 on cancer patients was exposed yesterday – with waiting times at crisis point.Although there were fewer people than normal referred for tests and treatment in the month ending June 30, the NHS’s ability to cope – even with the drop in numbers – worsened sharply.In particular, waiting times for diagnostics tests concerned politicians and cancer charities.Almost two-thirds of patients had to wait longer than the six-week maximum time for a diagnostic check such as an endoscopy, which is vital for detecting several kinds of cancer.Kate Seymour, of cancer support charity Macmillan, said: “While not all those waiting for tests will have suspected cancer, many will."The pandemic has been extremely challenging for the NHS but people with