The Cancer Research Campaign has said that a study by the National Patient's Access Team highlighted unacceptable delays experienced by many patients in their wait for cancer treatment. However, the survey found that reforms currently being piloted had sharply reduced waiting times.

The reforms, which include basic managerial steps like making sure a patient can get an x-ray, blood tests and specialist consultation in one visit, are due to be extended to the whole of England by April. The government hopes the changes will help it meet its target of treatment within two months for all patients, from the time they are referred by their GP, by 2005.