Macmillan Cancer Support is urging the creation of a decade-long cancer plan for Wales.

The appeal comes after fresh figures from the Welsh Government revealed that only 57 percent of patients commenced their treatment within the 62-day benchmark during January – marking the poorest result for Wales since last autumn.

The organisation cautions that without a comprehensive long-term approach, patient outcomes are unlikely to see improvement.

Rhian Stangroom-Teel, who serves as external affairs manager for Wales at Macmillan, stated that while there are areas of excellent practice and NHS employees work hard to deliver quality care, these efforts are taking place without the support of a long-term strategic framework including workforce planning, data systems and digital infrastructure essential for effective planning.

Wales currently stands as the only nation within the United Kingdom lacking a cancer strategy spanning several years, and an Audit Wales inquiry has advocated for a sustained strategic method.

Patients have expressed strong support for urgent transformation.

David Maitland, 71, from Rhyl, explained that had his PSA levels been monitored appropriately, treatment could have resumed earlier and may have prevented the spread of tumours, potentially sidestepping years of difficult side effects.

Neil Ackers, 52, from Prestatyn who received a referral through his workplace, noted that the referral saved his life.

Both individuals are backing Macmillan’s demands for improved cancer services and systemic change in Wales.