BBC News
By Matt Precey & Nikki Fox
BBC Look East
image captionAlan Jennison was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate in 2019
A former teacher said he had had to give up work after waiting a year for an operation.
Alan Jennison from Benfleet in Essex needs a procedure on his prostate at Southend University Hospital, where waiting times have increased.
The 60-year-old said he might have the operation within the next four months but there was "no guarantee".
Southend Hospital's trust said it was "working hard to care for people as quickly and safely as possible".
Data released shows the number of patients waiting more than 52 weeks for a routine operation at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, which includes Southend University Hospital, was 8,072 in February.