The distress of waiting for life-saving cancer treatment has found a poignant new voice in About Time, an operatic composition performed by three cancer-surviving musicians. Backed by Zurich, this initiative highlights the alarming delays in cancer care across the UK, where more than one in three patients face waits exceeding two months after urgent GP referrals.
Spearheaded by soprano Monica McGhee, the performance channels the emotional toll of waiting—a reality for 77,000 individuals this year alone. McGhee’s career was nearly derailed by a thyroid cancer diagnosis discovered just after a performance at Wembley Stadium. She joins tenor Toby Spence, also a thyroid cancer survivor, and pianist Lee Michael Walton, who overcame a rare bone cancer after enduring revolutionary surgeries.
“There is no easy way of dealing with the crushing news you might have cancer, especially when it threatens one of your reasons for living,” McGhee reflected. “Tragically, not everyone has access to swift and effective treatment, which is why I felt compelled to lend my voice to those who feel unseen during this critical time.”
The Waiting Game
New research conducted by Professor Allan Hackshaw of the UCL Cancer Institute reveals sobering statistics: only 64% of patients begin treatment within the NHS target of 62 days, far below the goal of 85%. Worse still, one in six patients waits over 90 days.
The regional disparity is stark. While 59% of patients in Birmingham and Solihull endure waits longer than two months, just 21% face such delays in Surrey Heartlands. These prolonged waits aren’t merely frustrating—they’re deadly. Each additional month of delay increases the risk of death by 6–8% for cancers such as bladder, breast, and lung.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the UK falling short of its potential,” Professor Hackshaw explained. “Modern treatments like precision oncology and immunotherapies offer incredible promise, but equipment and staff shortages make it difficult for the NHS to meet its targets, and this varies drastically across regions.”
An Emotional Toll
Waiting doesn’t just harm physical health. For two-thirds (67%) of cancer survivors, waiting was the hardest part of their journey, often eclipsing the treatment itself. Anxiety, fear, and frustration are common companions during these agonising delays.
For Lee Michael Walton, the journey was intensely personal. Diagnosed with chondrosarcoma in 2006, Walton underwent complex surgeries that left him temporarily unable to speak. “The process of rebuilding my life through music was as much about reclaiming my identity as it was about recovering from cancer,” he said.
This shared experience underpins the emotive power of About Time. Zurich’s Chief Underwriter, Nicky Bray, emphasised the initiative’s significance: “Cancer is a waiting game. Patients wait for diagnoses, for treatment, and for news of remission. This uncertainty is distressing and something Zurich aims to alleviate by helping customers access rapid diagnoses and care.”
Bridging Gaps with Innovation
Zurich’s Accelerate programme aims to address these gaps. It provides virtual consultations, second medical opinions, access to precision cancer treatments, and support for clinical trials. These services complement public healthcare, offering patients greater control over their cancer journey.
Professor Hackshaw remains optimistic about the future of cancer care: “We are on the brink of a revolution, with precision treatments and modern therapies poised to save countless lives. But access is key, and efforts like this campaign shine a light on the need for equity and urgency in care delivery.”
The Campaign’s Legacy
Beyond raising awareness, About Time underscores the need for systemic change. The voices of McGhee, Spence, and Walton serve as a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a story of resilience, hope, and the urgent need for timely care.
source: https://www.zurich.co.uk/media-centre/about-time-zurich-teams-up-with-cancer-surviving-opera-singers
