Seven in 10 NHS trusts in England failing to hit cancer referrals target

Charity criticises delays after rise in trusts missing two-week target in suspected cancer cases

People with suspected cancer in England are facing a higher risk of worrying" outcomes owing to unacceptable delays in being referred to hospital, experts have said, as figures show seven in 10 NHS trusts are failing to hit a key target.

The number of NHS trusts missing the national target for urgent cancer referrals is the highest it has been for at least three years, according to analysis of NHS data.