Melanoma skin cancer treatment statistics

'14-day / Two-week wait'

England meets the standard for their country on the percentage of patients first seen by a specialist within two weeks of urgent GP referral for suspected cancer.[1]

'Two-week wait' supports early diagnosis as spotting cancer early is important for improving survival, so it is important that patients with potential cancer symptoms are referred promptly.

'31-day wait'

England, Wales and Scotland meet the standard for their country on the percentage of patients that receive their first cancer treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat, while Northern Ireland does not meet the standard for their country.[1-4]

The speed at which patients receive their first treatment can have a positive outcome on their clinical outcome, so it is important that patients with cancer symptoms are treated promptly.

'62-day wait'

England, Wales and Scotland meet the standard for their country on the percentage of patients receiving their first definitive treatment for cancer within two months of a GP referral for suspected cancer, while Northern Ireland does not meet the standard for their country.[1-4]

The speed at which patients receive their first treatment can have a positive outcome on their clinical outcome, so it is important that patients with cancer symptoms are treated promptly.

Cancer waiting times coding and standards are different in each country and so comparisons should not be made between countries, only each country against their own measures.

Skin Cancer, Waiting Times, UK countries, 2014-15

Most patients with melanoma skin cancer are treated with surgery (wide local excision).[1,2] 

Patients with in situ melanoma skin cancer may be treated with radiotherapy.[2]

Patients with metastatic melanoma skin cancer may receive radiotherapy often alongside chemotherapy for palliative care.[2]

Some patients with melanoma skin cancer may receive supportive care and observation only.[2]

The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey monitors patients’ self-reported satisfaction with each step of the cancer pathway in England, providing information to drive improvements in cancer care.[1] The survey has been conducted annually since 2010.

Overall, most cancer patients in England report positive experiences of cancer care. However patient experience varies along the cancer pathway, and by gender, ethnicity, age, deprivation, and cancer type. Satisfaction scores tend to be higher for experiences with Clinical Nurse Specialists and other hospital staff, and lower for experiences with GPs and general practice staff. Patients who report more positive experiences of cancer diagnosis and treatment tend to be male, white, older, and less deprived.