Record Number of Early-Stage Cancer Diagnoses in England

Nearly 59% of common cancers were detected at stages one or two in the past year, marking significant progress but with challenges still remaining.

New NHS data shows 58.7% of the 13 most common cancers in England were diagnosed at early stages between September 2023 and August 2024, the highest level on record.
This represents a 2.7 percentage point improvement compared to pre-pandemic levels, equating to approximately 7,000 additional early-stage diagnoses.
Efforts such as mobile screening programs for lung and liver cancers, which bring tests directly into communities, have been credited with driving this progress.
Despite advancements, nearly one-third of patients still face delays in starting treatment, and England remains behind its goal of diagnosing 75% of cancers at early stages by 2028.
Health leaders emphasize the need for continued investment in staff, equipment, and national cancer strategies to further improve early detection and survival rates.