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The UK Government have announced a National Cancer Plan for England

Friday 1 November 2024

On Thursday, during a Westminster Hall debate on the merits of a cancer strategy, the UK Government have announced that they will publish a National Cancer Plan for England; fulfilling a long-held ambition of the charity to secure a dedicated cancer plan to keep bowel cancer treatment and care as a priority for the NHS. This plan will bring England in line with all other nations across the UK, who already have dedicated cancer plans in place.

Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care, made the announcement that the National Cancer Plan would follow on from the release of the 10-Year Plan for Health, which is currently under consultation, and due to be published in Spring 2025. MPs Clive Jones and Noah Law also spoke passionately about the challenges facing bowel cancer patients, and the need for a dedicated cancer plan.

We cannot overemphasis the importance of this announcement; it shows the UK Government have listened to Bowel Cancer UK, and the many other cancer charities that form the One Cancer Voice coalition, in prioritising cancer diagnosis, treatment and care as part of the improvements desperately needed to the NHS. Without such a long-term strategic approach, the current crisis in cancer care will only get worse as cancer cases are expected to increase by 21% over the five years of this parliament.

Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, Bowel Cancer UK said: "We're delighted at to hear that a National Cancer Plan will be created and look forward to the opportunity to help shape its development. The key to improving survival for bowel cancer patients is early diagnosis and this must be placed at the heart of this Plan for England. We need the Plan to outline specific, actionable steps to further improve the bowel cancer screening programme and address challenges in diagnostics, particularly in endoscopy and pathology services."

A graphic of a quote from our Chief Executive, Genevieve Edwards on a light teal background. The quote reads 'We're delighted at to hear that a National Cancer Plan will be created and look forward to the opportunity to help shape its development. The key to improving survival for bowel cancer patients is early diagnosis and this must be placed at the heart of this Plan for England. We need the Plan to outline specific, actionable steps to further improve the bowel cancer screening programme and address challenges in diagnostics, particularly in endoscopy and pathology services.'

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