A CANCER patient has raised concerns about the length of time people are waiting for the results of scans.

Peter Chislett, 71, said he waited for around four to five weeks to receive the outcome of a CT scan at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital.

It showed his stomach cancer had returned in January this year after he had fought the condition two years previously.

But Mr Chislett who is now having chemotherapy to treat the cancer, said the wait was too long and could be the difference in ‘saving lives’.

East Lancashire Hospitals Trust said it works hard to provide test results for suspected and newly diagnosed cancers ‘within two weeks’.

Mr Chislett, of Clayton-le-Moors, said: “I’ve spoken to patients who've had to wait a similar amount of time to get scans through.

"Four to five weeks is a long period of time for cancer patients, waiting for the results of scans either before or during treatment.

"The wait may mean they unnecessarily undergo more chemotherapy treatment or are delayed in receiving treatment that could save their lives.

"There seems to be a shortage of senior radiographers and specialists who can look at these scans and pass them onto oncologists.

"More funding is needed as this is a kick in the teeth for cancer patients.

"But the NHS is a fantastic organisation and my treatment was prompt after I was given the scan results and cancer diagnosis."

Tony McDonald, deputy director of operations at the trust, said: “On behalf of each patient with a confirmed or suspected cancer diagnosis, we recognise how important it is to provide diagnostic tests and, where necessary, treatment as quickly as possible.

“Waiting for a cancer test or to start treatment is always an anxious time. People want confidence that cancer is taken seriously and I can assure Mr Chislett and all our patients, that cancer tests are a priority.

“We work hard to provide test results for suspected and newly diagnosed cancers within two weeks. However, demand for diagnostic requests continues to be extremely high and this can result in longer waiting times than we would want for our patients.

“Despite the continued challenges, the trust achieved the national target for cancer treatment in nine out of 12 months during 2017-18. In fact, the trust’s overall annual performance of 86.3 per cent exceeded the national standard.”