The UK government has announced a comprehensive National Cancer Plan aimed at revolutionising cancer care across England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has vowed to end the “postcode lottery” that has long plagued the nation’s cancer services, promising to ensure patients in even the most deprived areas have the same chance of survival and quality of life as everyone else.
At the heart of the plan is a major push to expand specialist cancer training in underserved regions, particularly rural and coastal communities. Additional training places for doctors will be introduced at NHS trusts struggling to recruit, helping to bolster access to specialist care. Ministers will also work closely with royal colleges to incentivise more clinicians to specialise in oncology, addressing chronic shortages in this vital field.
Alongside workforce initiatives, the plan will fast-track the rollout of cutting-edge cancer detection technologies across the NHS. From April 2027, new tests and devices that can spot cancer earlier will be assessed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), paving the way for their rapid adoption. These innovations include AI systems that analyse chest X-rays for lung cancer signs and software that expedites diagnoses for prostate and breast cancer.
“For too long, your chances of seeing a doctor and catching cancer early have depended on where you live,” said Streeting. “That’s not fair and has to stop. We’re training more doctors in the communities that need them most and making sure the latest cancer detection technology reaches every corner of the country.”
The government is determined to tackle the stark disparities that have emerged in cancer outcomes over the past 15 years. While 78% of patients had their cancer ruled out within 28 days in November 2022, just 55.1% received a confirmed diagnosis in the same timeframe. Similarly, the proportion of patients starting definitive cancer treatment within 62 days stood at 70.2% – well short of the 75% target.
“Right now, cancer care isn’t fair,” warned Steven McIntosh of Macmillan Cancer Support. “Too many aren’t getting the treatment and care they need because of who they are and where they live, and rural and coastal communities often have the worst outcomes.”
The National Cancer Plan represents a major opportunity to “break down the barriers to everyone accessing world-class cancer care,” according to Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer. With a focus on prevention, speedier diagnosis and enhanced treatment, the government is determined to transform the landscape of cancer services for good.
