Overview

• One Cancer Voice projects around 6.3 million new cases over the next 15 years, a 14.2% rise that equates to one diagnosis every two minutes.
• The burden is forecast to vary by region, with the South East topping one million cases, followed by the North West at about 865,000, the East of England and South West at roughly 722,000 each, and London at around 714,000.
• Diagnoses of common cancers are expected to reach record highs, including more than one million prostate cases, about 906,000 breast cases and roughly 821,000 lung cases.
• Experts largely attribute the increase to an ageing population and lifestyle risks such as smoking and obesity, while noting the projection relies heavily on pre-pandemic data.
• The coalition’s six tests include meeting cancer waiting times by 2029, setting a new earlier-diagnosis target and strengthening prevention, as the government cites 95,000 more people getting a diagnosis or all-clear within 28 days and promises a plan later this year.