Increase in Wait Times for Cancer Treatment in the U.S.

Recent research published in JAMA Surgery uncovers a worrying trend in the U.S.: wait times between a cancer diagnosis and the beginning of treatment have extended by nearly two weeks over the past decade. This study, conducted by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles and Massachusetts General Hospital, analyzed national data from over two million patients diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2023.

Study Findings

Focusing on adults with early to locally advanced stages of six common cancers—breast, colon, lung, pancreatic, stomach, and esophageal—the study examined those who underwent surgery as initial treatment. Researchers measured the interval from diagnosis to the first treatment, including surgery or pre-surgical therapy intended to reduce tumor size.

The study revealed that across all six cancer types, median wait times increased by more than 10 days over the study period, regardless of whether surgery preceded or followed other treatments.

Wait Time Increases

The most significant rises were seen in stomach cancer, with wait times extending from 35 days to 49 days, and lung cancer, from 41 days to 53 days. Breast cancer wait times rose from 34 to 45 days, while colon cancer delays went from 20 to 31 days. Pancreatic cancer waits escalated from 23 to 32 days, and esophageal cancer delays expanded from 38 to 48 days.

Impact and Concerns

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, emphasized the need for immediate improvements in the healthcare system, pointing out high and increasing wait times for basic cancer operations for non-metastatic diseases since 2012.

Even at high-volume academic medical centers, delays were prevalent. Researchers noted disparities in wait times influencing different demographic groups. Longer wait times affected Black patients, Medicaid recipients, those in low-income areas, patients traveling long distances for care, and those treated at academic or high-volume hospitals.

Regional and Technological Influences

The West faced longer delays compared to other regions. Non-breast cancers linked with robotic surgery also showed extended wait times. Study authors warned that delays in surgical treatment are associated with increased mortality and poorer long-term survival.

Commentary and Limitation

Lia D. Delaney, M.D., and Sherry M. Wren, M.D., from Stanford School of Medicine, highlighted in their commentary the need to align capacity and coordination with regional efforts to improve cancer care quality. They stressed the importance of avoiding barriers to timely treatment.

The study authors acknowledged several limitations of their analysis. Relying on retrospective data from the National Cancer Database, they couldn’t ascertain specific reasons for individual treatment delays or capture details like initial symptom onset or patient decisions.