Government urged to implement long-term and fully funded cancer plan

Cancer Research UK has published its Manifesto for Cancer Research and Care, outlining how the next government could transform cancer research and care to prevent 20,000 cancer deaths a year by 2040.

The charity says the next government must put cancer at the top of its priority list and commit to implementing a 10-year cancer plan.

In doing so, the UK could climb back to the top end of the table for cancer survival by 2035 and significantly reduce pressure on the NHS.

UK lagging behind comparable countries on cancer survival

Currently, the UK is lagging behind comparable countries when it comes to cancer survival, and in 2019, Britain sat at the bottom of a major league table for cancer survival in high-income countries.

While cancer survival has doubled in the UK over the last 50 years, experts are warning that with NHS cancer services in crisis and around half a million new cancer cases each year expected by 2040, huge challenges lay ahead.

There is also a £1 billion funding gap for research into cancer over the next decade. If this is not addressed, the charity says hard-won medical advances will be put at risk.

Cancer Research UK says a nation-wide movement on cancer, spearheaded by a National Cancer Council, which brings government, the life sciences sector, charities and scientific experts together, should now be established.

One in five cancer patients are diagnosed via emergency routes

The Manifesto for Cancer Research and Care, which was developed with input from cancer patients and experts, sets out the following five missions for the Government to follow to dramatically improve cancer outcomes. These are:

1. Rebuild the UK’s global position in biomedical research
2. Prevent thousands more cancer cases by banning smoking
3. Diagnose cancers earlier and reduce inequalities
4. Bring tests, treatments and innovations to patients more quickly
5. Build a national movement to beat cancer, together.

Cancer Research UK is now urging the UK’s political parties to put cancer at the top of their priority list ahead of the next general election.

Leadership, political will, investment and reform needed

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “Cancer is the defining health issue of our time. Avoiding thousands of cancer deaths is possible, but it will take leadership, political will, investment and reform.

“The impact of cancer is immense. We estimate that half a million people – friends, colleagues and loved ones – will be diagnosed with the disease every year by 2040. Their lives are at stake if we don’t act now.

“The Manifesto for Cancer Research and Care is our comprehensive plan to ensure more people can live their lives free from the fear of cancer. We urge all political leaders to unite behind this vital mission.”