National Cancer Plan England 2025 – Consultation Open
Last year, Lord Darzi’s independent investigation into the NHS, found the need to improve cancer diagnosis rates, waits and outcomes.
To mark World Cancer Day, on Tuesday 4th February 2025, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting spoke to BBC presenter, Nick Robinson about the Government’s vision for cancer care and the launch of a national consultation.
You can watch the discussion HERE
It was stated that the national cancer plan will also seek to improve outcomes for those diagnosed with rarer and less common cancers, and for cancer in children and young people. It will foster opportunities for UK researchers to collaborate on international cancer research. This is particularly important for areas where affected populations are small, such as with rare cancers.
Kate Collins, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said:
“We welcome the news that the government has launched a consultation to help it develop a National Cancer Plan for England. The plan has been a long time coming and it’s promising to see that the cancer community is being listened to. . . We also welcome the restart of the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce.”
Cancer 52 Chief Executive Officer, Chris Walden, added that this was:
“an opportunity to ensure people with rare and less common cancers are diagnosed early, survival rates improve, and they have the support they need.
55% of all deaths from cancer are from rare and less common cancers; tackling this must be a priority and patient voices need to be heard as part of the consultation process, so the policy recommendations are grounded in their experiences”.
Cancer52 is a collaborative of UK rare and less common cancer charity and patient support groups:
Their State of the Nation report (Feb 2025) can be viewed here : it echoes findings and recommendations from Neuroendocrine Cancer UK’s Ideal Pathway work (2023) – available here.
During the discussion, the Secretary of State also announced the launch of a new, world-leading trial that is testing AI tools to diagnose breast cancer cases earlier, under a new initiative called the UK Collaborative for Cancer Clinical Trial Research, which will help to maximise opportunities for the UK to lead in clinical research.
World Cancer Research Fund’s Executive Director of Research and Policy Dr Giota Mitrou, said:
“The launch of a new UK Collaborative for Cancer Clinical Research also provides a welcome focus to maximise opportunities for cancer research. As a member of the Association for Medical Research Charities leading this work, we stand ready to share our expertise on research in cancer prevention and survivorship.
“Overall, the Government’s announcement is a huge step in the right direction. We look forward to working with the Health Secretary and others to make the Plan a reality.”
A subsequent House of Lords discussion, held 10th February, welcomes the idea of the Plan, but also raises some interesting comments and concerns – available here,
But what is the Government’s Cancer Plan Consultation?
This public consultation takes the form of an open conversation rather than outlining proposals for comment; a request for expert ideas and evidence that the government can build on, seeking your views and ideas on what should be included in the contents of the plan in order to improve experiences and outcomes. The areas of specific focus are:
- prevention
- access
- early diagnosis
- treatment
- living with and beyond cancer
- research and development
A summary overview about the consultation is available HERE
Lord Darzi’s report pointed out that the patient voice is not loud enough. . . in that it is not being heard nor concerns acted on – this needs to change.
This consultation provides an opportunity to have your say – to respond to the consultation:
You can preview the questions asked within the survey here
or
You can go straight to the online survey and respond here
Do note that alongside the listed answers to choose from, there is also space to add to your reply.
This “call for evidence” closes at 11:59pm on 29 April 2025.
Further information can be found at Shaping the national cancer plan – GOV.UK