Dear Wes Streeting

Photo of Dame Deborah James and her dad Alistair, Quote next to the photo reads "The UK Government can help give more people more time with the people they love."- Alistair James, Dame Deborah James's dad

Three years ago, Dame Deborah James died at the age of 40 from bowel cancer. She was known as ‘Bowelbabe’, a tireless campaigner for people affected by cancer and a passionate advocate for earlier diagnosis.

Early diagnosis saves lives, yet too many people are waiting too long to be diagnosed and treated for bowel cancer. And the percentage of cancers being diagnosed at an early stage, has hardly changed for almost a decade.

People affected by cancer deserve better.

The UK Government is currently developing their plans to tackle cancer over the next decade. Without bold action, we risk another 10 years of stalled progress.

Deborah’s family is continuing her legacy by joining Cancer Research UK in calling on the UK Government to make sure England’s upcoming National Cancer Plan is ambitious and backed by dedicated funding to give more people more time with the people they love.

Join us by signing the letter to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting.

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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