The percentage of Scottish cancer patients receiving treatment within the target time is the lowest since records began, new figures show.
Data released by Public Health Scotland reveals almost a third of patients referred to the NHS in Scotland with an urgent suspicion of cancer are waiting longer than the 62-day target to start treatment.
The rate fell to 68.9% in the first three months of 2025 – the lowest reported since records began a decade ago.
A target that 95% of patients should start treatment within 31 days of diagnosis has also not been met.
Figures show 94.1% of patients started treatment within that timeframe.
NHS Lanarkshire was the only health board to meet the target that 95% of patients should start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said one patient waiting more than two months is too many.
He said: “These appalling statistics confirm Scotland is facing a ticking timebomb when it comes to cancer cases on the SNP’s watch.
“SNP ministers have not met their own waiting time target in over a decade and need to cut out their pitiful excuses and act now.”
The figures come after the chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland, Dr Iain Kennedy, said it was “abundantly clear” that Scotland was now divided.
He said there was a split between people who could afford to go private and those forced to “languish” on NHS waiting lists.
In 2024, 72.1% of patients started treatment within the target time between July and September, a decrease from 73.2% in the previous quarter of April to June.
The PHS report looks at two key cancer waiting times.
The 62-day standard is based on the time from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first cancer treatment.
Meanwhile, the 31-day standard measures the time from a decision to treat to the start of first treatment for newly-diagnosed primary cancers.
