HALF of women whose cervical cancer is detected as a result of routine screening are not starting treatment on time due to delays in diagnosis.

The latest figures for Scotland show a sharp decline year-on-year in waiting times performance for cervical cancer.

Campaigners said it was "frustrating" at a time when they are trying to encourage more women to attend their screening appointments. Currently uptake among women in the 25 to 49 age group is just 70 per cent.

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The statistics from ISD Scotland, for the three month period covering October to December 2018, show that just 53.1% of patients who were given an urgent referral with suspicion of cancer as a result of an abnormal smear test went on to begin treatment within 62 days of that referral.

This is down from 89.7% in July-September 2018, and 81.3% in October-December 2017. The target is 95%.

Delays in diagnosis appear to be to blame for the decline in waiting times performance against the 62-day standard.

Around three or four in every 100 women screened will have potentially cancerous cell changes that require further investigation.

This typically involves checks such as colposcopy - a physical examination of the cervix - as well as CT or MRI scans.

Not all those referred for checks will turn out to have cancer.

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The ISD Scotland figures show that once cancer was diagnosed, and a decision was taken to treat it, 100% of patients began treatment within the 31 day target.

However, campaigners said it was disappointing that too many women were facing long waits to reach the point of diagnosis.

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “I am very concerned to see that barely half of women whose cervical cancer was detected through screening are starting treatment on time.

"It is frustrating to see that the root of the problem appears to be in delays around diagnosis.

"It is essential that we see waiting times for treatment decrease as well as an increase in the uptake of the HPV vaccine and cervical screening and an increased awareness in the symptoms of cervical cancer in order to truly see the number of diagnoses and incidences drop across the UK."

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Charities said shortages of specialist staff required to carry out diagnostic tests were creating bottlenecks in the system.

Similar backlogs are being seen among bowel cancer patients who will be sent for colonoscopies if routine screening flags up potential abnormalities.

The figures for October-December 2018 show that just 41.6% of bowel cancer patients whose disease was first detected as a result of screening began treatment within 62 days of being referred for tests.

However, this is up from 39.5% in the previous quarter.

Janice Preston, head of Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, said:“These figures once again show the difficulties cancer services are facing.

"With a growing number of people living with cancer and more people coming forward for tests, the cancer workforce is under pressure.

“It’s vital the government publish its workforce plan, setting out how it will ensure Scotland has the right workforce in place to respond to growing demands.”

Gregor McNie, Cancer Research UK’s head of external affairs in Scotland, said: “These figures show a service under huge strain with too many patients waiting too long.

"Early diagnosis and prompt treatment delivers much better results for patients and yet cancer waiting time targets in Scotland are routinely missed.

“There are already shortages among key staff such as endoscopists and radiologists.

"If the NHS is to meet increasing demand, as well as diagnose as many patients as early as possible, the Scottish Government must plan to meet current and future need.

"New ways of organising services are needed, along with new investment which must reach the front line without delay.”

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said, on average, patients in Scotland wait five days to start treatment once their cancer is diagnosed.

However, she conceded that some patients are waiting too long between urgent referral for tests and the start of treatment.

She said: “I have been clear with health boards that cancer patients must continue to be prioritised.

“Our revised Endoscopy Action Plan, backed by £6 million, aims to ensure new patients are seen within six weeks for key endoscopic tests.

"The most urgent patients, including those suspected with cancer, will be prioritised and seen between two to three weeks.

“This builds on our £850m Waiting Times Improvement Plan, which aims to drive down waiting times across all specialties, including cancer diagnosis and treatment, outpatient appointments and day case procedures.

“We are committed to significantly improving the experience of patients waiting to be seen or treated.”