HOSPITAL chiefs have launched an investigation into why six Bolton breast cancer patients had to wait more than a month before they received treatment.

They are trying to establish whether an administration error caused the Royal Bolton Hospital to miss the one month Government target in the six cases -- leaving all the women with an anxious wait of up to six weeks.

But today the hospital's director of surgery Steve Ashworth played down the delays. And he criticised the "hype" around the importance of Government targets.

He said that although he sympathised with women who may have been worried about delays, he believed that waiting the extra time would not reduce their chances of beating the disease. He added: "The clinical outcomes will not be affected by an extra week or two. Some patients will worry mainly because there is a lot of hype and general rubbish talked about it.

"I'm not saying waiting months and months does not affect the outcome, but not in the time period we are talking about."

Mr Ashworth said he would be looking into the reasons behind the "blip" and described the September figures as "a one off".

Six out of 25 patients had an extended wait during that month. Mr Ashworth said none of the patients would have had to wait longer than six weeks after diagnosis.

It coincided with a consultant taking holiday leave. Mr Ashworth said an administration error may have also played a part in the treatment delay.

But the charity Breast Cancer Care was concerned over the wait the women had to endure.

A spokesman said: "We sympathise with these women. Any delay in treatment is distressing for women with breast cancer.

"An effective cancer strategy requires that people get access to the right treatment within the appropriate time frame."

Bolton usually scores a 99 per cent success rate for the length of time it takes for breast cancer patients to undergo their first treatment.

The hospital's director of service development, Ann Schenk, said of the plight of the six patients: "This is not good enough. I am very conscious that we need to improve."

Health chiefs want to establish why the women did not receive treatment within the one-month Government target after their cancer was diagnosed. At the moment, all suspected high risk breast cancer patients are seen by a consultant within two weeks and Bolton is meeting this target.

The breach of the Government targets holds a risk of the hospital dropping in the star-rating table. The Royal Bolton Hospital holds a two star rating, but in 2001 was awarded a one star for failing to reach breast cancer targets and for cancelled operations.

Have you had to wait longer than the four-week target for breast cancer treatment? Contact the newsdesk tel: Bolton 537270, or e-mail bennewsdesk@boltonevening

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Britain has the fastest falling breast cancer mortality rate in the world with the majority of patients diagnosed with suspected breast cancer now seen within two weeks. Those who need surgery are most often operated within two or three weeks in the UK.

About 40,000 women and 250 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. It is the most common form of cancer in women, who are advised to check themselves regularly for lumps and to see a doctor straight away.

Bolton North East MP Brian Iddon, who is also investigating, said: "One month is the Government guideline and I would hope all hospitals would operate within that time."

Early treatment not only offers a better chance of a successful outcome, but also helps to reduce some of the anxieties associated with a cancer diagnosis.