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3mo ago

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.

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Doctor looking at medical scan for signs of cancer

Overview

  • 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.