There has been a further reduction in the number of people being seen for suspected breast cancer within the recommended target, official figures show.

Between April and June 2024, only 30.7% of patients were seen by a breast cancer specialist within 14 days of their GP urgent referral, compared to 38.6% in the previous quarter.

For the same period in 2023 the figure was 62.4%.

The ministerial target states that all urgent breast cancer referrals should be seen within 14 days.

The Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced a regional waiting list for breast cancer assessment is to be introduced, in response to the “unacceptable” waiting times for breast cancer services.

The latest cancer waiting times for Northern Ireland show targets for treatment continue to be missed.

In the quarter ending June 2024, 35.8% of patients started treatment within 62 days, compared with 39.4% in the same quarter last year.

According to targets set by the Department of Health (DoH), 95% of patients should begin treatment within 62 days after an urgent GP referral.

It also stated at least 98% of patients diagnosed with cancer should receive their first definitive treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat.

The latest figures show 91.4% of patients started treatment within the 31-day deadline, compared to 91.9% in the same quarter last year.

Figures for the Belfast Health Trust are not included in the latest cancer waiting time statistics because of the recent transition to the new electronic patient record system – Encompass.

Debbie King from Cancer Research UK said the waiting times are a “symptom of the huge pressures facing health services in Northern Ireland”.

“It’s an unacceptable situation for patients left worrying that they have a disease that could progress if left untreated,” she continued.

“Despite the challenging situation, the Northern Ireland Executive must make the necessary investment that’s needed to ensure people don’t miss out on life-saving cancer care.”