News
Widespread clinical support for reforming NHS cancer standards to speed up diagnosis for patients
Thousands of people referred for urgent cancer checks every month are set to be diagnosed and treated sooner, as the NHS reforms its cancer standards to reflect what matters most to patients and to align with modern clinical practice. Developed by clinical experts and supported by leading cancer charities, there will be three cancer standards, […]
NHS delivers another record year of lifesaving cancer checks for patients
The number of people receiving lifesaving checks for cancer in the last year has hit nearly three million (2.92m) – more than any other year on record. In June alone, over a quarter of a million people (261,000) were seen for urgent cancer checks by the NHS, which is well over double the number of […]
NHS on track for busiest summer on record
Emergency departments experienced their second busiest July ever last month, with new data published today showing 2.1 million attendances. The new data suggests this summer is currently on track to be the busiest ever for hardworking NHS staff with 4.42 million attendances in A&E over June and July – 42,500 more than the previous high […]
NHS’s cancer director pays tribute to Dame Deborah James on anniversary
The NHS’s national cancer director has today reflected on the incredible legacy of Dame Deborah James on the first anniversary of her death. Dame Cally Palmer praised the “inspiring” and “fearless” bowel cancer awareness work of Dame Deborah, which could save thousands of lives across the country – with record numbers now getting checked for […]
Number of patients receiving lifesaving NHS cancer checks has doubled in a decade
Double the number of patients are receiving potentially lifesaving NHS cancer checks in England now than they were a decade ago, new analysis shows today. As the NHS approaches its 75th milestone birthday, the latest figures show an astounding increase in demand for cancer services with 114,108 more people checked for cancer in the last month […]
Emergency care continues to face record demand as more people than ever before checked for cancer last year
A&Es across the country experienced the busiest May on record with NHS urgent and emergency care staff remaining under significant pressure, new data published today shows. Emergency departments across the country had the highest number of attendances for any May (2,240,070) – the third highest total since records began – and over 4,500 patients per […]
NHS response to Galleri trial results
An NHS cancer director has commented on the promising results of an early clinical trial into the Galleri blood test, which was correctly able to identify two out of every three cancers among 5,000 people who had visited their GP with symptoms. The findings are set to be presented at the American Society of Clinical […]
NHS rolls out new ‘lifeline’ combination therapy for hundreds of women with womb cancer
Hundreds of women with advanced womb cancer in England are to be offered a new ‘lifeline’ option from today, as the NHS rolls out a life-extending new combination therapy that can halt the progression of the disease for twice as long as chemotherapy. The NHS has agreed landmark commercial deals for two drugs from different […]
Faster diagnostic tests for cancer patients in latest NHS drive
Hospitals are being asked to work towards a 10-day turnaround when delivering diagnostic test results to patients who have received an urgent referral for suspected cancer, as part of new plans to see and treat people for cancer as early as possible. This means hundreds of patients waiting to have cancer ruled out or diagnosed […]
NHS to roll out personalised CAR-T cancer therapies to hundreds more people
Hundreds more people with cancer are now set to receive personalised CAR-T therapies after NHS England struck new deals to expand access to the potentially life-saving treatments. The cutting-edge immunotherapies, which use a patient’s own immune cells to create a tailored treatment, will immediately be made available through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) for people […]