The NHS will miss its target of detecting three quarters of cancers early while thousands of people wait too long to start treatment, experts have warned.
Nearly three in five cancers, including breast, prostate and lung cancers, are now in stages one or two, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
But despite record numbers being diagnosed early, the slow pace of progress means the 2028 target is “out of reach.”
Cancer registry data shows that 120,958 of the 206,038 common cancers (58.7 percent) diagnosed between September 2023 and August 2024 were identified at an early stage.
This represents a 2.7 per cent increase on pre-pandemic levels, but remains well below the 75 per cent target set as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.
Doctors said the data “risks masking the broader cancer crisis”, where patients are routinely left too long to begin treatment, frustrating their chances of survival.
Oncologist Professor Pat Price, director of the charity Radiotherapy UK, said: “The NHS ambition to diagnose 75 per cent of cancers early by 2028 already looks out of reach.
‘Early diagnosis of cancer patients is crucial, but risks masking a wider cancer crisis if treatment waiting times are not also addressed.
Nearly three in five cancers, including breast, prostate and lung cancers, are in stages one or two, when treatment is most likely to be successful (file photo)
Cancer registry data shows that 120,958 of the 206,038 common cancers diagnosed between September 2023 and August 2024 were identified at an early stage (file photo)
“With more cancer patients facing almost unprecedented delays in treatment every month, urgent action is needed.”
Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: “There is much more to do to ensure that as many breast cancers as possible are diagnosed in the early stages.”
She added: “Too many women are currently missing out on a vital breast exam that can detect the disease in the early stages, when treatment is most likely to be successful.”
‘Furthermore, it is deeply worrying that so many people continue to endure long and anxious waits to be checked for possible breast cancer symptoms, receive a diagnosis and begin life-saving treatment that will give them the best chance of survival.
‘We know that guaranteeing breast cancer patients an early diagnosis is essential to saving more lives from the disease. That’s why Breast Cancer Now is calling for urgent action to improve the uptake of breast screening, as well as speed up the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.’
NHS figures show that more than three million people (3,071,055) underwent cancer screening in the last year, an increase of more than 700,000 on five years ago and a further 100,000 in just 12 months.
The increase in diagnoses is equivalent to around 7,000 additional patients, according to NHS analysis.
But the latest NHS data also shows hospitals routinely failing to meet treatment targets.
More than 9,000 people waited more than 62 days to start after an urgent referral for suspected cancer in October, including more than 3,300 who waited at least two months.
This is despite research showing that each month of delay in starting treatment typically reduces the chances of survival by ten percent.
Health leaders have launched a major campaign over the past two years to encourage millions of people to come forward for potentially life-saving checks, especially those at higher risk due to hereditary or lifestyle factors.
Queen Camilla looks on as Dame Cally Palmer gives a speech during a visit to Maggies at The Royal Marsden on February 6, 2020.
An example includes placing messages on urinal mats in pubs and football fields asking men if there is “blood in your urine”. which can be a symptom of bladder, kidney or prostate cancer.
More than 5,000 people have been pre-diagnosed through the Lung Health Check (TLHC) since its launch in 2019, which uses mobile scanning trucks to offer in-depth checks to people in shopping malls, sports stadiums, food banks and car parks. supermarkets.
But routine screening levels, such as breast and cervical screening, remain below pre-pandemic levels, and the latter have steadily declined over the past decade.
NHS England’s top oncologist said the growing aging population means cancer cases will continue to rise.
Professor Peter Johnson said: “Our work to raise awareness, help warn those at risk and encourage people to come forward for checks is vital to ensuring people can receive treatment quickly.”
“Talking about cancer also helps save lives, so if you’re going to see friends and loved ones this new year, talk to them and have a conversation.”
Dame Cally Palmer, national cancer director for NHS England, said: “Lives are saved when cancers are caught early and, following a major push towards early detection in recent years, it is really encouraging to see that now More people are being diagnosed than ever at an earlier stage rate.
“There is still much to do to save more lives and we will not relent in our efforts to detect more cancers earlier, where treatment is most likely to be successful.”
“NHS teams across the country continue to carry out testing and monitoring closer to the people who need it, and with new treatments available all the time, we will continue to do everything we can to get people seen and treated for cancer as soon as possible.” possible.’
Last month, the Government said it would publish a National Cancer Plan “in due course”.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This Government will transform diagnostic services so we detect even more cases earlier and treat cancers faster, and we will offer 40,000 more elective care appointments every week.”
“As part of our Plan for Change, we are determined to make the NHS fit for the future and fight cancer on all fronts, improving prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and research.”