I want thousands more lives to be saved by diagnosing cancer early.
To save lives, we need enough NHS staff across the country to diagnose and treat cancer in the early, more treatable stages. Right now, we don’t have this. It’s in the hands of the Government to make sure we have enough cancer staff so anyone who is diagnosed with cancer, has the best chance of survival.
Years of failing to act has overstretched our NHS and the UK drifts behind on global cancer survival rates. And with a growing and ageing population, this staffing crisis is only going to get worse. Without planning for the future now, we won’t reach our shared ambition for thousands to be diagnosed early and survive their cancer.
Time is running out. The Government must show its commitment to building our cancer workforce, and train and employ more staff to diagnose and treat cancer early. I want to see a plan which addresses the staff shortages in our NHS right now, and plans for a future with cancer patients at its heart. I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with our NHS to make sure every patient receives the best diagnosis, the best treatment and the best care, no matter where they live.
Because together, we will beat cancer.