Revealed: One in eight have ignored a lump due to long GP waiting times

A shocking new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed one in eight have ignored a lump due to long GP waiting times. The research has also shown how in some cases people are even resorting to DIY procedures when finding possible cancerous symptoms.

After Ed Davey’s speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference which highlighted alarming problems around the late diagnosis of cancer and delayed cancer treatment, he is calling for a new “Cancer Rescue Plan” as Parliament returns this week.

The research shows that more than half of all respondents (52%) say they are not confident they would receive the treatment they need within 2 months, even if they were referred for suspected cancer. Even more shockingly, the data revealed people resorting to DIY healthcare, with 7% of all respondents saying they have attempted to remove moles on themselves or other people due to long GP waiting times. 

With only 12% of respondents describing themselves as “very confident” that they would be treated with the appropriate cancer care within a vital 2 month period, the research suggests that years of the Conservatives failing to invest in NHS cancer care has led to a serious drop in public confidence. 

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a two-month cancer treatment guarantee and a new target for all of the patients to start treatment for cancer within 62 days from urgent referral, with this right written into law. Currently this is only a government pledge, and 40% of patients wait longer than 62 days. The party are also calling for a boost in access to radiotherapy, replacing ageing radiotherapy machines and increasing their number, and widening access so no-one has to travel too far for treatment.

Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey MP said:

“It’s shocking to see how badly people’s faith in their local health services has been broken by this Conservative Government - to the extent that people are now putting their own health at risk by ignoring possible cancer symptoms.

“Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer is vital for improving someone’s survival, but these statistics show that some people have lost confidence that they will get it. 

“GPs and their staff are seeing more patients than ever before but community services are buckling under the strain. Liberal Democrats have a plan to keep thousands of GPs in our communities so everyone can access help and potentially life saving referrals when they need it - with a Cancer Rescue Plan so people can then get the cancer care they need.”

ENDS 

Notes to Editors: 

The Liberal Democrats’ five-year cancer plan includes:

1. Two-month cancer treatment guarantee. A new target for 100% of patients to start treatment for cancer within 62 days from urgent referral, with this right written into law. Currently this is only a government pledge, and 40% of patients wait longer than 62 days.

2. Boost access to radiotherapy. Replace ageing radiotherapy machines and increase their number, as well as widening access so that no one has to travel too far for treatment.

3. Halve the time for new treatments to reach patients. It takes an average of 11 months for a new medicine or medical technology to be approved and available to patients in England, compared to just 4 months in Germany. We will expand the MHRA’s capacity to speed up that process.

4. Pass a Cancer Survival Research Act. New legislation modelled on the US law signed by President Obama in 2013. It would require the Government to coordinate and ensure funding for research into the cancers with the lowest survival rates, including lung, liver, brain and pancreatic cancer.

5. Save the National Cancer Research Institute. The Government is presiding over the closure of the National Cancer Research Institute, which was established in 2001 and plays a vital role in coordinating cancer research, due to uncertainty over research funding. Its closure has been described by one oncology professor as like “turning off air traffic control and hoping the planes will be fine”.

6. Improve support for patients and their families. Recruit more cancer nurses so that every patient has a dedicated specialist supporting them throughout their treatment. Ensure patients and their families are given information about charities, patient support groups and financial support at every key stage: referral, diagnosis and starting treatment.

Savanta interviewed 2,185 UK adults aged 18+ online between 25th and 28th August 2023 on GP waiting times and availability of appointments at their local practice. 

Data were weighted to be representative of the UK by age, sex, region, and social grade.

Q1. Which of the following, if any, have you done because you thought it would take too long to be seen by a GP? Base: All respondents (n=2,185)

Q2. How confident are you that if you were referred to a specialist for suspected cancer you would start treatment under two months? Base: All respondents (n=2,185)