Published on 4 February 2026
The National Cancer Plan has been launched on World Cancer Day with the aim of making England a world leader in cancer survival, bringing the latest treatments and technology to NHS cancer care.
Patients will receive faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and the support to live well with cancer under the government’s landmark plan.
Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance Managing Director Jon Hayes has welcomed the Plan, designed to:
- diagnose cancer earlier
- provide better treatments
- help people to live well
- focus on prevention.
Jon said: “The National Cancer Plan is part of the NHS’s work to build an NHS Fit for the Future and aims to make England a world-leader for cancer survival. It has been developed in partnership with cancer charities, clinicians and most importantly, patients. Every action is informed by someone’s real experience.
“The plan sets out a bold, long-term approach to improving cancer outcomes, experience and equity over the next decade."
For the first time, the NHS will commit to ensuring three in four people diagnosed with cancer from 2035 onwards are cancer-free or living well after five years.
This represents the fastest rate of improvement in cancer outcomes this century and will translate to 320,000 more lives saved over the lifetime of the plan.
The NHS has not met its central cancer performance target – that 85% of patients start treatment within 62 days of referral - since 2014. Survival rates are below Romania and Poland for some cancer types.
Under this plan, that will change – by March 2029, the NHS will meet all three cancer waiting time standards, meaning hundreds of thousands more patients will receive timely treatment. This demonstrates the real change being delivered by the government's record investment as we rebuild the NHS.
60% of patients currently survive for 5 years or more and around 2.4m people are currently living after a cancer diagnosis.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Cancer survival shouldn’t come down to who won the lottery of life. But cancer is more likely to be a death sentence in Britain than other countries around the world. As a cancer survivor who owes my life to the NHS, I owe it to future patients to make sure they receive the same outstanding care I did.
“Thanks to the revolution in medical science and technology, we have the opportunity to transform the life chances of cancer patients. Our cancer plan will invest in and modernise the NHS, so that opportunity can be seized and our ambitions realised.
“This plan will slash waits, invest in cutting-edge technology, and give every patient the best possible chance of beating cancer.”
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: “Almost everyone will know someone who has been affected by cancer – a friend, a partner, a parent or a child – and for many people it will be part of their own story too.
“This plan sets a clear roadmap for the NHS to diagnose more cancers earlier, ensure more patients are treated on time and improve survival, so that hundreds of thousands more people live longer, healthier lives with or after cancer over the next decade.
“This is alongside delivering the latest breakthroughs in cancer treatment and care to every corner of the country, improving access to pioneering trials and ensuring there is wraparound support for people closer to home.
“The National Cancer Plan will see the NHS deliver world-class cancer care, offering renewed hope for millions and ensuring the health service is there for patients whenever they need it.”
To read the plan click here.