ALMOST a third of patients with suspected cancer in Northern Ireland were not treated within the 62-day target, new figures have revealed.
Department of Health guidelines state that 95 per cent of patients who have been deemed urgent or 'red flag' by their GP should begin hospital treatment in just over two months.
But latest statistics show those seen within the target decreased from just over 72 per in July last year (240 out of 332 patients) to 69.6 per cent in September, when only 249 of the total 358 patients began their first drug treatment.
Breaches also took place in relation to suspected breast cancer cases being assessed by a consultant, though there was a slightly improved picture over the three-month period.
Targets set by the Department state that all women should be assessed by a hospital doctor within 14 days of being referred by their GP with a potential breast cancer diagnosis.
In July, 15 per cent of these cases were not referred within the fortnight for urgent diagnostic testing such as a mammogram or needle biopsy - this dropped to less than 13 per cent three months later.
Last summer, the Irish News revealed almost three-quarters of suspected breast cancer patients were not seen within the fortnight target at the Belfast Trust in June - with one woman enduring a 33 day delay.
Staffing problems and increased demand were linked to the crisis.
A GP whose patients were affected said the delays around a cancer diagnosis is one of the worst parts of the "treatment pathway".
