PUBLIC Health Scotland has released a new CancerWaiting Times report.
These latest figures show that, during the last quarter for which results are available, from July-September 2025, around 1,400 (29.3 per cent) patients waited longer than 62 days to start treatment following an urgent suspected cancer referral.
The report shows that only 70.7 per cent of patients on an urgent referral for a suspicion of cancer started treatment within 62 days during this quarter.
This is well below the 95 per cent target and is the fifth worst performance on record (since 2012).
The full Public Health Scotland report can be found here:
https://publichealthscotland.scot/media/36574/2025-12-23_cwt-report.pdf
Dr Sorcha Hume, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Scotland, said: “Waiting to find out if you have cancer is a hugely distressing time for people.
“NHS staff are also stretched to the limit and, without action, delays will persist.
“As we approach the new year, the Scottish Government must make a firm resolution to invest in the NHS workforce and equipment, as well as innovative ways of working.
“There’s no time to lose. The cancer crisis is urgent. Without immediate action, countless lives will be lost.”
More information on how Cancer Research UK believes waiting times can be tackled can be found in Longer better lives: a manifesto for cancer research and care in Scotland
