Staggering 400,000 cancer patients waited too long for treatment as up to THIRD not seen in time [Video]

NEARLY 400,000 NHS patients have waited longer than two months to start cancer treatment since 2015, according to a report.

Cancer Research UK said long delays trigger “stress and anxiety” for people who know they have a tumour.

NHS figures show that about a third of new patients wait more than the 62-day target between a doctor’s referral and beginning potentially lifesaving treatment.

The health service target is for 85 per cent of patients to be treated faster than that but it has not been met since December 2015.

In that time, CRUK estimates 382,000 people have languished for longer than eight weeks.

Chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: “Each of these numbers is a friend, family member, and loved one who is facing unbearably long waits for their treatment to begin, causing stress and anxiety.”

Hospitals say a …