The ‘two week wait rule’ is failing breast cancer patients and needs to be reviewed urgently say the authors of a seven year study examining the impact of the target, published today on bmj.com.At the end of the last century death rates from breast cancer in the UK were among the highest in Europe. Long waiting lists, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment, were thought to be partly responsible. In 1998 the Department of Health brought in the ‘2 week wait rule’ which stipulated that by April 1999 all patients with suspected breast cancer should be seen by a specialist within two weeks of referral by a GP.
