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News
Cancer patients are waiting significantly longer to start treatment than they were a decade ago — and the trend is consistent across six major cancer types. A large retrospective study found median wait times from diagnosis to first-course treatment rose sharply between 2012 and 2023, with delays hitting hardest at high-volume academic centers. Vulnerable populations, including Black patients and those on Medicaid, face the longest waits.
A major retrospective study of 2.7 million U.S. cancer patients found that wait times from diagnosis to first-course treatment have climbed dramatically between 2012 and 2023 — across all six cancer types analyzed. Published in JAMA Surgery, the findings drew on the National Cancer Database and revealed that the share of patients waiting 30 days or more jumped from 56% to 75%, while those waiting 60+ days nearly doubled for several cancers.
The delays were most pronounced at high-volume academic centers, likely due to capacity constraints driven by healthcare consolidation. Patients referred to these centers faced the longest waits of all. Integrated network programs — multi-facility systems with coordinated care — showed relatively shorter wait times for some cancers, suggesting a potential model for improvement.
By the Numbers
Why it matters: Delays in cancer treatment aren't just logistical headaches — they fuel patient anxiety and may worsen outcomes. Disparities are widening too, with Black patients, Medicaid enrollees, and low-income individuals disproportionately affected. Experts are calling for standardized timeliness benchmarks and smarter care coordination to close the gap.
