The Five Year Forward View signalled a continued focus on improving care, treatment and support for everyone diagnosed with cancer. It set an ambition to improve outcomes across the whole pathway, including:

• Better prevention;
• Swifter diagnosis; and
• Better treatment, care and aftercare.

Following the publication of the Five Year Forward View, NHS England established the Independent Cancer Taskforce. The group was chaired by Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, and included representatives from across the cancer community. It engaged with hundreds of people, including clinicians, patients, charity representatives and policy-makers, over a six month period.