The NHS Long-Term Plan sets out an ambitious target to have three quarters of all cancer diagnosed at an early stage by 2028.

In 2021-2022, over 100,000 patients were diagnosed with cancer at stages one or two when it is easier to treat – the highest proportion on record. The latest cancer staging data for 2021 shows that the number of early stage tumour diagnoses in London ranged from 53.8% in North East London ICB to 57.8% in North Central London ICB.

What are the barriers to early diagnosis?

• Poor awareness about the signs and symptoms of cancer, in particular symptoms which could relate to other health issues like changes in bowel habits or a persistent cough.
• Delays in getting a referral for appropriate tests or getting a hospital appointment.
• Fear of taking up GP time or about what the doctor might find.

What are we doing to ensure that more Londoners are diagnosed early?

• The roll out of new Rapid Diagnostic Centres (RDCs), the extension of the current screening programmes (including lower ages for bowel screening, lung health checks and cervical self-sampling screening) and the new Faster Diagnosis Standard are some of the ways in which we plan to achieve this.
• We are also supporting London’s health and care system by providing a city-wide approach to urgent suspected cancer referrals and sharing screening best practice.