Cancer care delays causing serious concern

The Irish Cancer Society has voiced deep concern over alarming delays in access to life-saving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

Patients urgently referred for breast and prostate cancer assessments are facing some of the longest wait times, despite the critical nature of their conditions.

Under current healthcare guidelines, chemotherapy should commence within 15 working days of being prescribed. However, many patients were forced to wait up to eight weeks, delays that could lead to serious complications or even reduce their chances of survival.

Joining Andrea to discuss this is Ziva Cussen, Patient Ambassador for Breast Cancer Ireland, Patricia McKeever, Head services at ARC Cancer Support and listeners.