Teenage Cancer Trust response to news about the possibility of cancer waiting time targets being dropped in England

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In response to the news that the Government may streamline the number of cancer waiting time targets from nine to three, with an announcement expected this week, Dr Louise Soanes, Chief Nurse at Teenage Cancer Trust, said:  “Working with young people every day, we know that delays can compound the impact of cancer on young people’s physical and mental health. So we welcome any approach from NHS and the Government that will speed up the pathway to diagnosis.  

“However, to ensure that the system is able to treat people as quickly as possible, issues around the workforce need to be addressed urgently. We want to reiterate that we are concerned about the impact of today’s workforce pressures on specialist cancer services. This combined with variances in the availability of professionals at this point of the patient journey is deeply concerning. Implementation of the NHS Long Term Workforce plan – properly funded and at pace – is now key.    

“Additionally, any changes to the cancer waiting time measures should include the collection and reporting of age breakdowns to ensure we can spot trends and problems for teenagers and young adults with cancer – something which the current data does not allow us to do with adequate specificity.” 

Notes to editors

For more information, contact Kat Harrison-Dibbits, Head of Communications at Teenage Cancer Trust on [email protected] or [email protected] or call 07572 251265.

Why is cancer different for teenagers and young people compared to children and adults? 

  • Getting a cancer diagnosis in the first place is harder. Although cancer in teenagers and young adults is more common than you might think,10 it’s still relatively rare, and symptoms can often be mistaken for growing pains or infections. The latest NHS statistics show that 47% of teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer had to see their GP three or more times before referral – the most out of any age group. 

  • Cancer treatments can be less effective for young people. The physical changes and rapid growth we go through during puberty and young adulthood can negatively affect how the body metabolises chemotherapy drugs, for example, or can lead to more severe side-effects with a higher risk of short and long-term complications. 

References 

52.9% of 16–24-year-olds spoke to a primary care professional only once or twice before their cancer diagnosis (NHS National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2022):  https://www.ncpes.co.uk/latest-national-results/   

Clinical pharmacology in the adolescent oncology patient: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20439647/  

About Teenage Cancer Trust

  • Since 1990, Teenage Cancer Trust’s nurses, youth support coordinators and specialist hospital units have been at the forefront of providing life-changing care for young people with cancer.  

  • Teenage Cancer Trust has pioneered the development of treatment and support specifically for teenagers and young people with cancer, which didn’t exist in the UK before the charity formed in 1990.   

  • Teenage Cancer Trust has 28 purpose-built units within NHS hospitals which are places where young people aged 13 to 24 can feel at home, meet others their age, and welcome family and friends, while being looked after by a dedicated team of specialists.   

  • We also run events for young people with cancer follow their treatment. We bring young people with cancer together to share experiences, develop life skills, build connections – and most importantly have some fun. We give them all the information and support they need at a critical point in their recovery, on topics like fertility, nutrition, exercise, employment and more.