Cancer treatment delays surge across US as doctor warns system 'needs fixing immediately'

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles and Massachusetts General Hospital analyzed national data from more than two million patients diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2023.

Across all six cancer types, median wait times grew by more than 10 days over the study period, regardless of whether surgery came first or followed other treatments.

The delays were even seen at high-volume academic medical centers, noted Siegel, who was not involved in the study.

"The waiting times for basic cancer operations in non-metastatic diseases is high and increasing since 2012," he added.

Longer wait times were seen for Black patients, people on Medicaid, individuals in lower-income areas, patients traveling longer distances for care, and those treated at academic medical centers or high-volume hospitals.

The West experienced longer delays than other regions, and for non-breast cancers, the use of robotic surgery was linked to longer wait times.

In supporting commentary published along with the study, Lia D. Delaney, M.D., and Sherry M. Wren, M.D., both of the Stanford School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California, emphasized that cancer care has become increasingly sophisticated over the last two decades.

The authors noted several limitations to their study. Because the analysis relied on retrospective data from the National Cancer Database, it could not determine the exact reasons behind individual treatment delays, such as scheduling issues, logistical hurdles or personal patient preferences.