Latest news with #NationalCancerPlan
Powys County Times
10-07-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Cancer patients still facing ‘dangerous treatment delays', experts warn
Cancer patients in England are still facing 'dangerous treatment delays' on the NHS, experts have warned. It comes as new figures show the proportion of patients who had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days has declined for the third consecutive month, while those waiting no longer than 62 days for their first treatment also fell. Monthly data published by the NHS shows 74.8% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in May, down from 76.7% in April and the third monthly fall in a row. The Government and NHS England have set a target of March 2026 for this figure to reach 80%. Elsewhere, the proportion of patients who had waited no longer than 62 days in May from an urgent suspected cancer referral, or consultant upgrade, to their first definitive treatment for cancer was 67.8%, down from 69.9% in April. The target to reach 75% is also March 2026. Professor Pat Price, oncologist and chairwoman of Radiotherapy UK, said: 'Today's cancer waiting times show yet another missed opportunity to put a stop to dangerous treatment delays. 'Patients should not be kept on the edge of their seats waiting for the chance to access the life-saving treatment they need. 'It's an unfortunate reality that these delays have become normalised.' Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'Behind these delays in cancer diagnosis are thousands of people hoping for clarity, support and the chance to move forward. 'Right now, many people are experiencing differences in care depending on who they are or where they live, which is completely unacceptable. 'Everyone facing cancer deserves the very best care, as quickly as possible, no matter their postcode, background, or circumstances. Ms Seymour added that the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England 'is a real chance to make things better'. The Department of Health and Social Care launched a call for evidence to help shape a national cancer plan in February. The blueprint is expected to be published later this year and will aim to transform cancer care by improving diagnosis, screening and treatment, as well as bolstering research and looking at ways to help prevent the disease. An NHS spokesperson said: 'Despite the NHS seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before, we know there is more to do to improve early diagnosis, access to tests and life-saving treatments. 'Our 10 Year Health Plan launched last week sets out some of the ways we will transform cancer care to be fit for the future, including innovation to speed up referral and diagnosis, with more to follow in the National Cancer Plan coming later this year.'
South Wales Guardian
10-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Cancer patients still facing ‘dangerous treatment delays', experts warn
It comes as new figures show the proportion of patients who had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days has declined for the third consecutive month, while those waiting no longer than 62 days for their first treatment also fell. Monthly data published by the NHS shows 74.8% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in May, down from 76.7% in April and the third monthly fall in a row. The Government and NHS England have set a target of March 2026 for this figure to reach 80%. Elsewhere, the proportion of patients who had waited no longer than 62 days in May from an urgent suspected cancer referral, or consultant upgrade, to their first definitive treatment for cancer was 67.8%, down from 69.9% in April. The target to reach 75% is also March 2026. Professor Pat Price, oncologist and chairwoman of Radiotherapy UK, said: 'Today's cancer waiting times show yet another missed opportunity to put a stop to dangerous treatment delays. 'Patients should not be kept on the edge of their seats waiting for the chance to access the life-saving treatment they need. 'It's an unfortunate reality that these delays have become normalised.' Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'Behind these delays in cancer diagnosis are thousands of people hoping for clarity, support and the chance to move forward. 'Right now, many people are experiencing differences in care depending on who they are or where they live, which is completely unacceptable. 'Everyone facing cancer deserves the very best care, as quickly as possible, no matter their postcode, background, or circumstances. Ms Seymour added that the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England 'is a real chance to make things better'. The Department of Health and Social Care launched a call for evidence to help shape a national cancer plan in February. The blueprint is expected to be published later this year and will aim to transform cancer care by improving diagnosis, screening and treatment, as well as bolstering research and looking at ways to help prevent the disease. An NHS spokesperson said: 'Despite the NHS seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before, we know there is more to do to improve early diagnosis, access to tests and life-saving treatments. 'Our 10 Year Health Plan launched last week sets out some of the ways we will transform cancer care to be fit for the future, including innovation to speed up referral and diagnosis, with more to follow in the National Cancer Plan coming later this year.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cancer patients still facing ‘dangerous treatment delays', experts warn
Cancer patients in England are still facing 'dangerous treatment delays' on the NHS, experts have warned. It comes as new figures show the proportion of patients who had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days has declined for the third consecutive month, while those waiting no longer than 62 days for their first treatment also fell. Monthly data published by the NHS shows 74.8% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in May, down from 76.7% in April and the third monthly fall in a row. The Government and NHS England have set a target of March 2026 for this figure to reach 80%. Elsewhere, the proportion of patients who had waited no longer than 62 days in May from an urgent suspected cancer referral, or consultant upgrade, to their first definitive treatment for cancer was 67.8%, down from 69.9% in April. The target to reach 75% is also March 2026. Professor Pat Price, oncologist and chairwoman of Radiotherapy UK, said: 'Today's cancer waiting times show yet another missed opportunity to put a stop to dangerous treatment delays. 'Patients should not be kept on the edge of their seats waiting for the chance to access the life-saving treatment they need. 'It's an unfortunate reality that these delays have become normalised.' Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'Behind these delays in cancer diagnosis are thousands of people hoping for clarity, support and the chance to move forward. 'Right now, many people are experiencing differences in care depending on who they are or where they live, which is completely unacceptable. 'Everyone facing cancer deserves the very best care, as quickly as possible, no matter their postcode, background, or circumstances. Ms Seymour added that the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England 'is a real chance to make things better'. The Department of Health and Social Care launched a call for evidence to help shape a national cancer plan in February. The blueprint is expected to be published later this year and will aim to transform cancer care by improving diagnosis, screening and treatment, as well as bolstering research and looking at ways to help prevent the disease. An NHS spokesperson said: 'Despite the NHS seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before, we know there is more to do to improve early diagnosis, access to tests and life-saving treatments. 'Our 10 Year Health Plan launched last week sets out some of the ways we will transform cancer care to be fit for the future, including innovation to speed up referral and diagnosis, with more to follow in the National Cancer Plan coming later this year.'
MTV Lebanon
05-06-2025
- Health
- MTV Lebanon
Aoun discusses National Drug Agency decree, cancer plan with Health Minister
President of the Republic Joseph Aoun met with Minister of Public Health Rakan Nasreddine, with whom he discussed the draft implementation decree for the National Drug Agency, which is being prepared for submission to the Cabinet. The minister also briefed President Aoun on the details of the National Cancer Plan. Nasreddine noted that 'cancer drug coverage has increased by 43% over the past two months.' He also informed the President about his visit to the World Health Organization and Lebanon's restoration of its voting rights.
Medscape
03-06-2025
- Business
- Medscape
UK Cancer Deaths Drop 22% in 50 Years Despite Rising Cases
Cancer death rates in the UK have fallen by 22% over the past 50 years. However, diagnoses have risen by almost half, according to a new analysis by Cancer Research UK (CRUK). The Cancer in the UK Report 2025 provides the first 50 years of UK-wide data on cancer mortality and cases. Death rates fell from around 328 per 100,000 people in 1973 to around 252 per 100,000 in 2023. CRUK described the findings as 'profound'. The charity said improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and smoking reduction had helped drive the decline. People today are twice as likely to survive their disease for at least 10 years compared to 50 years ago. Survival rates improved from one in four people in the early 1970s to one in two today. Rising Incidence Despite Progress Cancer incidence rates increased sharply by 47% during the same period. Cases rose from around 413 to 607 per 100,000 people. However, the charity noted that because of the UK's growing and ageing population, actual numbers continue to rise. Nearly 1100 new cases are diagnosed daily, with more than 460 deaths each day. This occurs despite significant progress in prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. CRUK called on the government to ensure that its upcoming National Cancer Plan for England is 'ambitious and fully funded'. Early Diagnosis Rates Stagnant Research into improving screening programmes, tests, and drugs helped reduce death rates. Policy action on smoking reduced rates for cancers with poor survival outcomes. Lung cancer mortality rates decreased from 80.9 per 100,000 people in 1971-1973 to 49.8 in 2021-2023. Bowel cancer rates fell from 48.0 to 26.3, whilst breast cancer dropped from 30.7 to 16.9. However, pancreatic cancer rates remained stable at around 15 per 100,000 people. Some cancers showed increases, including prostate cancer from 13.3 to 18.3 and oesophageal cancer from 9.2 to 12.0. Just over half of cancers (54%) were diagnosed at an early stage in England, the report found. This proportion has not changed for almost a decade. Around half of all new cancer diagnoses occur in people aged 70 and over. However, incidence rates are rising fastest in younger people, with a 23% increase in people aged 20 to 49 since the early 1990s. Screening Programmes Save Lives Three cancer screening programmes save around 5000 lives every year across the UK, according to CRUK. Smoking remains the biggest cause of cancer in the UK. It accounts for around a fifth of all cancer deaths each year. Around one in 20 UK cancer deaths are now linked to being overweight or obese. Michelle Mitchell, CRUK's chief executive, welcomed the reduced death rates and doubled survival rates. However, she stressed that too many cases are diagnosed at a late stage. "If we want to change that, we need bold action from the UK government," Mitchell said. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, highlighted recent innovations. These include lung cancer screening in car parks and AI technology to spot skin cancer. Mitchell urged that the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England must improve survival and transform services. She said the plan "could save countless lives across England and ensure people affected by cancer live longer, better lives". CRUK has also published devolved nation summaries of its findings for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
