National Cancer Plan

On World Cancer Day, I joined Cancer Research UK in Parliament to mark an important moment for patients and families affected by cancer, and to welcome the government’s landmark National Cancer Plan for England.

Before entering Parliament, I worked full time as an oncology pharmacist. In that role, I saw first-hand how much cancer outcomes depend on early diagnosis, timely treatment and access to the right care at the right time. I also saw how cancer never affects just one person – it affects entire families, often placing huge emotional, physical and financial strain on those supporting a loved one through treatment.

That is why this plan matters. Thanks to Labour’s record investment in our NHS, the government has set out a clear ambition to transform cancer care – with faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and a commitment to meet all cancer waiting time standards by 2029. By 2035, three quarters of patients diagnosed will be cancer-free or living well five years on, representing the fastest improvement in cancer outcomes this century and saving hundreds of thousands of lives.

The plan sets out major reforms to how cancer is diagnosed and treated, including expanded diagnostics closer to home, wider use of genomic testing to personalise treatment, a major increase in specialist and robot-assisted surgery, and better access to clinical trials and support for people living with and beyond cancer. Every patient will receive a tailored support plan, covering not just treatment, but mental health and employment too.

I am particularly pleased to see the government’s commitment to supporting children and young people with cancer and their families. When a child is diagnosed, families often face long and frequent journeys to specialist hospitals, alongside the emotional strain of supporting a seriously ill child. More than a third of families travel over an hour to reach care, and the costs can quickly become overwhelming. The new £10 million a year fund to cover travel costs for children and young people with cancer, open to all families regardless of income, will remove one of those pressures and allow families to focus on what truly matters.

Cancer affects practically every family in every constituency. Under the Conservatives, cancer waiting time targets were missed year after year, and survival rates fell behind comparable countries. This plan represents a clear break from that failure – backed by investment, modernisation and a relentless focus on results.

The priority now is turning this ambition into real, measurable improvements for patients across the country. With faster diagnostics, cutting-edge treatment and better support for patients and families, this plan gives every person facing cancer the best possible chance of beating it – and of living well beyond it.