Detect cancer early

Detect rosetteIt is vital that the Government makes earlier detection of cancer a priority for the NHS.

When cancer is detected and diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is almost always simpler and more likely to be effective. 

In the UK, cancer survival rates remain poorer than in the best performing countries in Europe. 

A lack of knowledge of the signs and symptoms of cancer among both the public and medical professionals means that patients can wait too long to see a specialist, which can delay their diagnosis.

We want the Government to:

  • Give GPs increased access to diagnostic tests to help diagnose cancers more quickly
  • Accurately record the stage at which the majority of patients’ cancers are diagnosed to help us monitor trends and drive progress on early diagnosis more quickly in poor performing areas
  • Develop new training programmes for GPs and other primary care professionals to improve their awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer so treatments are more effective.
  • Ensure access to existing and new ways of diagnosing cancer as soon as possible.
  • Take action to increase the coverage and uptake of cancer screening programmes.