Three quarters will survive cancer by 2035, government promises

Earlier cancer diagnosis and faster treatment are being promised under a government plan in England to ensure three quarters of patients are surviving cancer for at least five years by 2035.

Ministers say the ambition in their 10-year cancer strategy published on Wednesday will herald the fastest improvement in cancer outcomes this century.

Latest data for 2022 shows five-year survival at 60%, leaving the UK lagging behind other developed countries.

To help achieve the goal, the government has pledged to hit the 62-day waiting time target by 2029 - it is more than a decade since it was met.

But experts warn it will require significant extra investment, particularly in staff, to make improvement.

However, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has survived kidney cancer, is adamant the plans are achievable.

He said the investment being made in the NHS by the government – the budget is increasing by 3% above inflation in the coming years – coupled with advances in medical science and technology will help "transform the life chances of cancer patients".

Streeting added: "Cancer is more likely to be a death sentence in Britain than other countries around the world. But survival shouldn't come down to who won the lottery of life.

"As a cancer survivor who owes my life to the NHS, I owe it to future patient to make sure they receive the same outstanding care I did."

Improving early diagnosis is seen as crucial – currently just over half of cancers are diagnosed at stages one and two, which provides the best opportunity to treat the disease. The proportion has improved little in the past decade.

Steps to identify more cancers through screening have been outlined – currently only 6% of cases are.

The government has said it will lower the threshold at which bowel cancer screening triggers further checks to help identify more cancers.

A targeted lung cancer screening programme is also being rolled out for ex-smokers.

The plan is promising to:

• deliver 9.5 million more tests and scans by 2029
• rapidly increase the amount of precision robotic surgery being carried out
• treat more rare cancers, such as brain cancer, in specialist centres in a bid to improve outcomes
• expand genetic testing so more patients benefit from targeted treatment, such as immunotherapy, for their specific type of cancer
• provide every patient with a tailored support plan covering treatment, mental health and employment support
• give every patient a named local care lead to provide support after treatment

Streeting said: "Cancer doesn't just attack your body - it takes over your whole life. I was fortunate. I had a supportive employer, a family who could rally around me and the financial security to focus on getting better.

"But I know that's not everyone's reality. For too long, we've treated the tumour and left patients to figure out the rest on their own."

The pledge to hit the 62-day waiting time target, which covers referral to treatment starting, is being seen as particularly challenging. Currently around 70% of patients start their treatment with this timescale, but the target is 85%.

There are another two targets that form part of that – a 28-day target for diagnosis, which is being met, and a 31-day target for treatment to start from the point at which it has been decided to treat the cancer, which is being missed.

The Royal College of Radiologists said there were insufficient specialist cancer staff to meet demand.

Workforce surveys suggest there is a 30% shortfall in radiologists and 15% in clinical oncologists - doctors that oversee non-surgical cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

"Plans to diagnose and treat cancer faster are welcome, but without sustained investment in the specialist workforce, there will not be enough doctors to deliver timely and effective care for patients," added college president Dr Stephen Harden.

Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell said the promises represented a "significant commitment" that would require a "wide range of measures".

"England lags behind comparable countries on cancer survival – it's vital that changes," she said.

Five-year survival data analysed by the charity shows the UK consistently lags behind on cancers of the stomach, colon, pancreas, ovaries and lungs.

For example, on colon cancer five-year survival exceeds 70% in Australia, while in the UK it is under 60%.

For lung cancer, 15% of UK cases live five years, but in Norway and Canada more than 20% do.

The plan also mentions steps that are being taken to prevent cancers - it is estimated around four in 10 cases could be avoided through lifestyle changes.

This includes extra support to help people quite smoking, increasing access to weight loss drugs and mandatory ID checks for sunbed use to ensure the ban on under 18s using them is properly implemented.

But Thalie Martini, of Breast Cancer UK, said she was disappointed there was not more emphasis on prevention through bold and proactive policies on alcohol, diet, exercise and chemical exposure.

"To significantly change cancer outcomes, we must be one step ahead."

Additional reporting by Jess Carr, Aidan McNamee and Daniel Wainwright