Over a quarter of breast cancer doctors set to retire within 5 years, putting patient care at risk
A fifth (19%) of all UK cancer doctors are forecast to retire within 5 years. But this rises to over a quarter (27%) for cancer doctors who specialise in treating breast tumours – the highest of any cancer site (part of the body where the cancer first started to grow) – putting patient care at risk for one of the most common cancers.
These figures come from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) 2024 Clinical Oncology Workforce Census, completed by all cancer centre leaders, providing the most authoritative picture of the UK cancer workforce.
1 in 7 women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Despite this prevalence, the RCR has found that ten cancer centres each rely on just one clinical oncologist for expertise in one of the four most common cancers – breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate – leaving no clinical oncologist with expertise if those doctors leave, retire, or even take a holiday.
A chronic shortage of cancer doctors, combined with rising demand for care, has created a cycle of overstretch and burnout that drives more doctors to leave the NHS. Cancer doctors are now leaving the workforce at an average age of 54, down from 59 just a year ago. 7 in 10 cancer centre leaders are concerned that workforce shortages are affecting patient safety.
The outlook for the workforce that diagnoses breast cancer is also worrying. As of 2024, 19% of radiologists are set to retire within 5 years, but this rises to 23% for radiologists who specialise in breast tumours, and 25% for specialists in cancer imaging.
On Thursday 23 October 2025, MPs will debate the impact of NHS workforce levels on cancer patients. To prevent breast cancer care becoming a postcode lottery, the RCR is calling on the government to train up more cancer doctors and improve working conditions to retain the ones we already have.
The RCR also calls for the forthcoming National Cancer Plan for England to ensure that NHS workforce planning maintains tumour site specialty expertise for common cancers. This will help to provide enough doctors who specialise in treating common cancers for patients to access care quickly and easily, no matter where they live.
This debate will be led by Clive Jones MP, a breast cancer survivor himself. Backing the RCR’s calls ahead of the debate, he said:
“Today, I am leading a debate highlighting clear evidence that workforce shortages in the NHS have a devastating impact on cancer patients, and their families.
The high number of cancer doctors due to retire from the NHS in the next few years is unsustainable, and risks creating a postcode lottery for breast cancer.
I strongly support calls on the Government to not only grow, but also retain, the NHS cancer workforce, so patients can get timely care wherever they live.
I know firsthand how important fast diagnosis and effective treatment is to the success of your cancer care.”
Dr Stephen Harden, President of the Royal College of Radiologists, said:
“This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are highlighting the urgent need to grow and retain the cancer workforce. Our data shows that more breast cancer doctors are set to retire than any other cancer site specialty – a trend that could lead to further delays and poorer outcomes for patients if not addressed. The NHS must ensure that every region has enough doctors specialising in common cancers so that patients everywhere can access timely, high-quality treatment. The forthcoming Cancer Plan is an opportunity to get this right.”
The RCR is urging Government and NHS England to act on its recommendations to secure the cancer workforce for the future.
Notes to editors:
- Media contact: [email protected] 02038054065
- The Royal College of Radiologists is the leading professional membership body for clinical radiologists and clinical oncologists.
- All statistics, unless otherwise stated, come from the RCR reports, published on 5 June 2025:
RCR Clinical Radiology Workforce Census 2024
RCR Clinical Oncology Workforce Census 2024 - The RCR annual workforce censuses are the most authoritative sources of information about the state of cancer diagnosis and care in the UK, based on 100% response-rate surveys of cancer centre heads and clinical directors of radiology departments. Running since 2008, they identify trends and make evidence-based recommendations.