'Traumatic Wait': Northern Ireland Women Face Breast Cancer Delays

Published: 19 November 2025 Wednesday . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A County Antrim GP has voiced deep concern for women in Northern Ireland who face delays in receiving breast cancer treatment, following reports of late diagnoses affecting several patients in her practice. The revelations come amid growing scrutiny over the functioning of the region’s new regional breast cancer service, with doctors and patients alike describing the experience as “traumatic” and “emotionally draining.”

Dr Jilly O’Hagan, who works at the Notting Hill Medical Practice in the Northern Trust area, told BBC News NI that three women in her surgery were diagnosed with cancer only after experiencing prolonged delays in accessing specialist care. These patients were among 32 women at the practice who were red-flagged within a five-month period this year. Red-flagging is the urgent referral system intended to prioritise patients with suspected cancer for rapid diagnosis and treatment.

The three women affected had to wait more than eight weeks to be seen by a consultant, while nine others were still awaiting appointments at the time of reporting, one of whom had been waiting more than ten weeks. “The wait is traumatic,” Dr O’Hagan said, underlining the emotional strain that comes with uncertainty about a potential cancer diagnosis.

One patient described her experience as being trapped “in limbo” for months, saying she “just wants the cancer out.” After being informed that there were more than 80,000 women ahead of her on the waiting list, she opted to pay for a private diagnosis, which confirmed she had stage two breast cancer. The patient expressed her anger at the delay, noting the severe mental and physical strain it had caused.

Dr O’Hagan emphasised that such failings were not being reported in England, Scotland, or Wales and questioned why women in Northern Ireland were receiving a substandard service. “The new regional breast cancer service is not functioning – there is a bottleneck, they are not meeting the targets for women who are red-flagged,” she said. “It never used to be like this. It’s not working.”

The shortcomings of the system were further highlighted by the case of a woman from the Southern Trust area who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer after repeated delays and miscommunications between multiple health trusts. In her early 40s, the patient described herself as an “emotional wreck,” noting that the various health trusts had delivered conflicting outcomes, adding to the trauma of her diagnosis.

Her ordeal began in June, when she first noticed what she described as a “pull” under her armpit. It took two weeks before she could get an appointment with her GP, who, upon examination, found a “pea-sized” lump and red-flagged her in early July. With a family history of breast cancer, the woman had undergone annual mammograms, all of which had previously returned clear results.

Following the red-flagging, her journey through the healthcare system was marred by confusion. She received communication from Craigavon Area Hospital but was subsequently referred to the Ulster Hospital, located in a different health trust, causing delays and frustration. The lump continued to grow, and her breast became red and swollen, compounding the stress she faced.

Almost ten weeks after her initial GP appointment, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in August and began chemotherapy at the end of October. “It’s been horrific, and my family and I are emotional wrecks,” she said, highlighting the personal toll that prolonged delays can have on patients and their families. Her experience prompted her to write directly to the health minister, calling for urgent attention to the issue.

Dr O’Hagan and other healthcare professionals have pointed to systemic issues in Northern Ireland’s breast cancer service, arguing that the current structure is failing to meet the needs of patients. While red-flagged referrals are intended to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment, delays in accessing consultants and diagnostic tests have left patients in prolonged uncertainty, which can exacerbate the severity of the disease and increase anxiety.

Health officials in Northern Ireland have acknowledged pressures on the system, citing workforce shortages, high demand, and the logistical challenges of coordinating care across multiple health trusts. However, critics argue that these explanations do not justify the repeated failures in meeting critical red-flagged targets, particularly when other parts of the UK are reportedly managing timely cancer care.

The consequences of delayed diagnosis are profound. Medical research shows that earlier detection of breast cancer significantly improves survival rates, while delays can lead to more advanced disease at the time of diagnosis, requiring more aggressive treatment and carrying higher risks for patients. Delays also have a psychological impact, as patients endure prolonged periods of uncertainty and fear.

The Southern Trust patient’s story illustrates this point vividly. Her initial concerns were ignored due to procedural delays, and miscommunication between hospitals further compounded the issue. The lack of a seamless, coordinated approach meant that what could have been an early-stage diagnosis escalated to a late-stage one, dramatically affecting both treatment options and prognosis.

Experts warn that the Northern Ireland system must urgently address structural inefficiencies and enhance coordination across trusts. This includes implementing clear referral pathways, reducing waiting times for red-flagged patients, and ensuring consistent communication between hospitals, consultants, and primary care providers.

Patient advocacy groups have also called for greater transparency and accountability in the system. Many are urging the health minister to conduct a full review of the regional breast cancer service, with an emphasis on ensuring equitable access, timely diagnosis, and adequate support for women navigating the complex healthcare system.

For the women affected, the impact is not only physical but profoundly emotional. Patients describe feelings of frustration, fear, and helplessness as they wait for critical medical interventions. Families, too, are deeply affected, often providing support while struggling to manage the anxiety and stress associated with delayed care.

“The trauma of waiting, not knowing whether you have cancer, and then finally receiving a diagnosis at an advanced stage is almost indescribable,” Dr O’Hagan said. “It is not just a medical issue, it’s a human issue, and it affects the entire family.”

While Northern Ireland has taken steps to improve cancer care, including the creation of the new regional service, the experiences reported by patients indicate that further action is urgently needed. Ensuring that red-flagged patients are prioritised, reducing waiting lists, and creating a more integrated system across health trusts are seen as crucial steps in restoring confidence in the service.

The cases highlighted in Notting Hill Medical Practice and the Southern Trust area have become emblematic of a wider crisis. They underscore the need for structural reforms, adequate funding, and workforce support to meet the growing demand for cancer care. Without such measures, patients risk facing unnecessary delays that could compromise outcomes and diminish trust in the healthcare system.

Northern Ireland’s health authorities have committed to reviewing waiting times and prioritising urgent referrals, but patients and medical professionals continue to call for concrete, measurable improvements. For women awaiting a diagnosis, every day matters, and the need for a functional, responsive system is clear.

As Dr O’Hagan and others advocate for change, the central message is that delays in breast cancer diagnosis are not merely administrative issues—they are matters of life and death. Ensuring timely, coordinated, and compassionate care for all women must be a priority, both to save lives and to alleviate the emotional toll on patients and families alike.