Sign the open letter

Campaigner stood in front of the Houses of Parliament holding a sign that says "It's time for a turning point for cancer"

A once in a decade opportunity

Nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetimes, and across England, cancer cases are increasing, patients face unacceptable waits and unequal access to treatment.

In 2024 alone, 74,000 people in England were not treated on time for cancer.

People affected by cancer deserve better.

We’ve welcomed the announcement of a National Cancer Plan for England. Now, we must ensure that this plan is the turning point for cancer we need.

That's why we’re calling on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to seize this once in a decade opportunity to transform cancer survival in England, by ensuring the National Cancer Plan is bold and committed to delivering the change needed for people affected by cancer now and in the future.

Will you join us by signing our open letter?

Dear Wes Streeting

We welcome your commitment to a National Cancer Plan - a once in a decade opportunity to transform cancer survival in England.

Nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetimes, and across England, cancer cases are increasing, patients face unacceptable waits and unequal access to treatment.

In 2024 alone, 74,000 people in England were not treated on time for cancer.

Behind each number is a real person affected by cancer. Partners holding hands waiting for news. Friends missing at birthdays. Parents up late worrying.

People affected by cancer deserve better. They need better.

You have the opportunity to be bold and to make the National Cancer Plan the turning point for cancer we need.

The National Cancer Plan must commit to:

diagnose more cancers earlier
address inequalities in access to treatment
build an NHS powered by research and innovation
reduce smoking rates
meet all cancer waiting times targets by July 2029.

A plan committed to delivering the change needed for people affected by cancer now and in the future.

You can make this vision a reality.

That’s why we’re calling on you to ensure the plan has the dedicated funding to fulfil its commitments and is backed by clear leadership and accountability to ensure it can meet the scale of the challenge that faces us.

Secretary of State, you committed to “unleash Britain’s potential as a world leader in saving lives”, and to “build the healthy society needed for a healthy economy”. These are aims we share. There is no time to waste.

Yours sincerely,

Cancer Research UK

With the support of our campaigners, Cancer Research UK has been calling for a dedicated long-term cancer strategy for England since 2019. In February this year, the government formally committed to the development of one - the National Cancer Plan for England.

The plan is expected to be published later this year. It seeks to "improve every aspect of cancer care to improve the experience and outcomes for people with cancer".

While the announcement of the plan is a great first step, we now need to ensure it contains bold but achievable commitments, receives funding for delivery, and is implemented effectively.

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