NEW findings published yesterday reveal that cancer patients in Wales are experiencing substantial delays in diagnosis and treatment.

A report published by Audit Wales found that the country has the second-highest cancer mortality rate in Britain after Scotland.

The report found that despite increased investment, health boards in Wales have continued to fail to meet the national target which requires 75 per cent of all cancer patients to start their first treatment within 62 days.

The findings revealed that waiting times were particularly long for  lower gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and urological cancers, with some patients waiting over 100 days to start treatment.

It noted that performance had deteriorated after the pandemic.

Since 2022, between 52 per cent and 61 per cent started their treatment within the target time.

Survival rates at five years were notably worse for those living in deprived areas, at 51 per cent, compared with 69 per cent living in affluent parts of Wales.

Audit Wales estimated that about four in 10 cancers each year in the country are “preventable.”

Auditor-general Adrian Crompton warned that “too many people are experiencing unacceptably long waits.”

He said: “Variations in performance and outcomes persist within and between health bodies in Wales and insufficient attention is being placed on prevention of the lifestyle factors that can cause cancer and other major health conditions.

“The arrangements for the national leadership and oversight of cancer services in Wales need to be clarified and strengthened as a matter of urgency.”

The Welsh government said: “We welcome the findings from the Audit Wales report and are committed to improving cancer services in Wales.

“We are absolutely focused on working with the NHS to improve access to diagnosis and treatment as part of our target for 75 per dent of those diagnosed to begin treatment within 62 days of when their cancer is first suspected.”