Written question WQ100393
- Asked by
- Safa ElhassanPlaid
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What consideration has the Cabinet Minister given to introducing a 31-day breast cancer standard from decision to treat to first treatment, similar to those used in England and Scotland, to identify delays after diagnosis and ensure health boards are held accountable for timely surgery, radiotherapy and systemic anti-cancer treatment for patients?
Declared interest
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Swansea Bay UHB
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care (Mabon ap Gwynfor)
The Suspected Cancer Pathway in Wales measures a patient's journey from the point at which cancer is first suspected through to first definitive treatment, including the period between diagnosis and treatment.
Health boards are expected to ensure that 75% of people on the pathway are either informed they do not have cancer or begin their first definitive treatment within 62 days of the point of suspicion. National Optimal Pathways have been developed to support health boards to deliver timely and consistent diagnostic and treatment services, including for breast cancer.
Digital Health and Care Wales publish data on median times from diagnosis to treatment for the main cancer types, including breast cancer: Cancer Data - Digital Health and Care Wales. In the most recently reported month, June 2026, the median number of days between diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer was 43 days at the all-Wales level.
The National Cancer Strategy for Wales will determine the future approach to measuring cancer pathway waiting times.