Wait times are an important measure of how quickly people are getting access to cancer care. They also indicate the health care system’s ability to meet the needs of all cancer patients and provide care close to home.

The timeliness of treatments can have a significant impact on cancer patients’ treatment outcomes, prognosis and quality of life.

While some waiting is reasonable and even necessary to plan treatment appropriately, waiting for treatment can be emotionally difficult and stressful for patients and their caregivers.

Wait time information is used by health care providers to monitor and manage wait lists and resolve specific wait time problems. It also allows patients and health care providers to compare wait times at different hospitals and make better care decisions. This information is critical to planning and putting cancer services where they are needed.