In the UK, one person is diagnosed with cancer every 80 seconds. That is 403,000 people per year, which is a record high. There is therefore an increasing pressure on NHS cancer services, which the NHS is struggling to keep up with. On 4th February 2026, the government published the National Cancer Plan for England with the aim of improving the survival and quality of life of those affected by cancer. It is a 10 year strategy covering topics including diagnosis of cancer, treatment and care. Around 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime and currently 60% of people who receive a cancer diagnosis live for a least five years. The aim of the plan is to transform cancer care so that by 2035, this will increase and 75% of people diagnosed with cancer will survive for five years or more. This will translate to 320,000 more lives saved over the course of the plan. Objectives of the National Cancer Plan Earlier cancer diagnosis Bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK, with 49,385 people being diagnosed in 2021. Since 2021, the government has been extending NHS bowel cancer screening which now covers people from the age of 50 (historically screening had started at 60) and between now and 2028, there are plans to increase the sensitivity of the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which can help detect bowel cancer before it causes noticeable symptoms. This aims to deliver 17,000 earlier diagnoses by 2035 and save almost 6,000 lives, when combined with increased uptake. A long term plan is to improve the effectiveness of FIT-based screening for colorectal cancer even further, identifying people at the highest risk based on other factors alongside their FIT result. In 2023 the government announced the rollout of a lung cancer screening programme, targeting those aged 55 to 74 with a history of smoking. It involves an appointment with a health professional to discuss lung cancer risk and may lead to a referral to a GP or for a CT scan. In the Plan, the government pledges to complete the rollout of this screening by 2030, meaning that every eligible person will have received their first invitation for a check. The programme is expected to diagnose up to 50,000 cancers by 2035 and at least 23,000 at an earlier stage. The government also aims to speed up lung cancer diagnosis with the use of AI, including using AI-derived software to analyse chest x-rays. AI-supported tools have already been adopted by almost half of NHS trusts but the use will be extended to all trusts. Improving waiting times The government acknowledges that waiting times are not as good as patients expect or deserve. In the Plan, the government pledges to meet all three cancer waiting time standards by March 2029, meaning 80% of patients getting a diagnosis or all-clear within 28 days of an urgent suspected cancer referral, 85% of patients starting treatment within 62 days of urgent referral and 96% of patients starting treatment within 31 days of doctors deciding on a treatment plan. Only three of 119 acute NHS trusts surpassed the 85% target last year, with some patients waiting more than 104 days. The target has not been met at a national level since 2015. There has been some development over previous years, including the creation of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) in 2021. CDCs are located in convenient community settings such as high streets and shopping centres, and provide tests, checks and scans to patients. They enable patients to access tests closer to home without the need to travel to hospital and help cut waiting times and ease pressure on hospitals. There are 170 CDCs and within the National Cancer Plan, the government pledges to expand CDCs further, increasing productivity and capacity, by building more CDCs and making appointments available in the evenings and at weekends. Reducing risk factors for cancer Within the Plan, the government also focuses on reducing the risk factors for cancer. This includes acting on UV radiation. Over-exposure to UV radiation is the third highest preventable cause of cancer after tobacco and obesity. The risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is 25% higher in people who have used a sunbed. Countries such as Australia and Brazil have even banned the use of commercial sunbeds. Later this year, the government are due to consult on strengthening the existing protections by mandating safety warnings, supervised usage, and ID checks to enforce the law that no under-18s are using commercial sunbeds. Alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for many types of cancer, including breast and bowel cancer. The government aims to tackle harmful alcohol consumption by introducing new mandatory health warnings and nutritional information on alcohol labels. This will follow in the steps of countries that have tested and legislated for cancer warnings, such as South Korea and Ireland. The government has also pledged to support growth in the no- and low-alcohol market, to help provide consumers with more healthy choices. There will also be campaigns to increase the take-up of the HPV vaccine, with new schemes to enable young people who have missed out on the HPV vaccination at school to have it administered at their local pharmacy. This is with the aim of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040. How we can help If you or a loved one has concerns about the standard of cancer care received, please contact Boyes Turner for free and confidential advice at mednegclaims@boyesturner,com. Our Medical Negligence team has extensive experience acting for patients and families affected by delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Our team offers clear, practical guidance and will support you through every step of a claim with sensitivity and compassion.
