In 2025, 61 per cent of prostate cancer surgeries, 45 per cent of breast cancer operations and 39 per cent of lung cancer surgeries were delayed
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More than half of men undergoing prostate cancer surgery had their operation delayed, new statistics have revealed.
In 2025, 61 per cent of prostate cancer surgeries, 45 per cent of breast cancer operations and 39 per cent of lung cancer surgeries were delayed, according to figures released by the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme. Sinn Féin’s health spokesperson David Cullinane said this “alarming pattern of delayed care” needs to be a wake up call for the Government.
The data also shows that 15 per cent of chemotherapy patients and 21 per cent of radiotherapy patients do not start treatment on time. Patients should receive their first cycle of therapy 15 working days after being deemed ready to treat.
However, the target of 90 per cent of patients being treated during this time for chemotherapy or radiation was missed. St Luke’s Hospital in Dublin was the worst ranked hospital for this, with just 62 per cent of chemotherapy patients being treated on time.
Cavan was the best, with 100 per cent of chemotherapy patients receiving treatment in less than 15 working days. Mr Cullinane said despite best efforts from staff, cancer services are “beginning to slip”.
He added: “Advocates have been shouting from the rooftops about capacity pressures for years and it is materialising in the worst possible way for patients and families. Behind each of these figures are hundreds of people who are sick with worry, facing delay after delay and trying to cope with the fear that their cancer is progressing while they wait.”
Sinn Fein health spokesman David Cullinane
The Sinn Féin TD for Waterford said many of his constituents have been waiting weeks for cancer treatment. In one case, a woman was left waiting for six weeks to start chemotherapy after being deemed ready to be treated.
He said: “This is happening right around the country, and delays in accessing diagnostic scans is a big driver of delays in starting treatment or accessing surgery. And the cruel reality is that those who can afford to go private can get ahead, while everyone else is left to sit in a queue.
“We cannot allow cancer care to go backwards, but in some areas that is exactly what this data suggests is happening. This data must be a turning point. Patients deserve timely care. Staff deserve a system that supports them.
“The Minister must act now to stop cancer services slipping further and to drive waiting times down.” The Sinn Féin TD said a lack of equipment in hospitals is causing further delays to patients.
He said: “Equipment is a major part of this. Some hospitals do not have enough equipment, in others it is outdated, and there are hospitals with new equipment but who cannot retain enough staff to operate it meaning services can’t run at full capacity.
“The fact that around 35 per cent of radiotherapy equipment is out of date is simply unacceptable. Modern, up-to-date equipment must be matched with proper staffing, so capacity can be maximised.”
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