There are projected to be around 6.3 million new cancer cases diagnosed in England between now and 2040, new analysis has revealed.
Over the last 15 years there have been 5.5 million cases**. The new figures suggest there will be 14.2% more cases over the next 15 years. Some of the most common cancers are expected to reach all-time highs, including prostate cancer (1,050,000), breast cancer (906,000), and lung cancer (821,000). There are also projected to be over 63,000 cases in children and young people aged 0-24.
The projections suggest that by 2040, around 1,100 people a day will be diagnosed with cancer in England – the equivalent of a loved one hearing that dreadful news every two minutes.
Over 60 cancer charities have come together to address these rising figures and outline six tests that the government’s National Cancer Plan must meet if England is to lead the world in tackling cancer.
The coalition of the UK’s leading cancer charities – known as One Cancer Voice – says that the plan must:
- Pledge to meet all cancer wait times by the end of this parliament
- Outline a new earlier diagnosis target, alongside improvements to screening programmes and support for primary care so that fewer cancers are diagnosed at a later stage
- Deliver impactful policies to prevent cancer, including tackling some of the biggest risk factors
- Ensure every patient receives the best possible treatment and inequalities are addressed
- Improve access to clinical trials for cancer patients, and make the NHS the world leader for cancer research and development
- Support everyone to live well with and beyond cancer with practical and emotional support embedded in NHS cancer care
The charities are also clear that the plan, which is expected to be published later this year, must be fully funded as without this, it will be impossible to meet these tests.
Cancer Research UK’s chief executive and One Cancer Voice representative, Michelle Mitchell, said:
“Nearly one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime – everyone will be impacted by the disease, whether they receive a diagnosis themselves, or have a friend, family member or loved one who does.
“The National Cancer Plan for England is a decade defining moment. If the government gets this right and fully funds the plan, countless lives could be saved from cancer for years to come, and propel our country from world lagging to world leading when it comes to tackling this disease.
“Meeting these tests will determine whether this plan makes a real difference for cancer patients. Waiting lists fell and cancer survival improved under previous long-term cancer strategies, so let’s seize this opportunity, and deliver for everyone affected by cancer.”
Despite rising cases, cancer survival has doubled since the 1970s and today, one in two people will survive their disease. But this progress is at risk of slowing down. And for less survivable cancers, which have seen little progress, the threat of the situation worsening is incredibly concerning.
Campaign Collective is a campaign partner to the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce – part of the One Cancer Voice coalition.