The NHS is set to miss its target of catching three-quarters of cancers early while thousands are waiting too long to start treatment, experts have warned.
Almost three in five cancers – including breast, prostate and lung – are now being found now at stages one or two, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
But despite record numbers being diagnosed early, the slow rate of progress means the 2028 target is ‘out of reach’.
Cancer registration data shows 120,958 of the 206,038 common cancers (58.7 per cent) diagnosed between September 2023 and August 2024 were identified at an early stage.
This is up 2.7 per cent on pre-pandemic levels but remains way below the 75 per cent target set as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.
Doctors said the data ‘risks masking the broader cancer crisis’ where patients are routinely being left too long to start treatment, thwarting their survival chances.
Oncologist Professor Pat Price, head of the charity Radiotherapy UK, said: ‘The NHS’s ambition to diagnose 75 per cent of cancers early by 2028 already looks out of reach.
‘Diagnosing cancer patients early is crucial, but it risks masking the broader cancer crisis if treatment waiting times aren’t also addressed.
Almost three in five cancers – including breast, prostate and lung – are being found at stages one or two, when treatment is most likely to be successful (stock photo)
Cancer registration data shows 120,958 of the 206,038 common cancers diagnosed between September 2023 and August 2024 were identified at an early stage (stock photo)
‘With more cancer patients facing near-record treatment delays every month, urgent action is needed.’
Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said there’s ‘much more to do to ensure as many breast cancers as possible are diagnosed at the earliest stages’.
She added: ‘Currently, far too many women are missing out on vital breast screening that can detect the disease at the earliest stages, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
‘Furthermore, it’s deeply worrying that so many people continue to endure lengthy, anxious waits to have possible breast cancer symptoms checked out, receive a diagnosis, and start the vital treatment that gives them the best chance of survival.
‘We know that guaranteeing breast cancer patients an early diagnosis is fundamental to saving more lives from the disease. Which is why Breast Cancer Now is calling for urgent action to improve uptake of breast screening, alongside speeding up breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.’
NHS figures show more than three million people (3,071,055) were tested for cancer over the last year, a jump of over 700,000 on five years ago and up 100,000 in just 12 months.
The increase in diagnoses is the equivalent of around extra 7,000 patients, according to the NHS analysis.
But latest NHS data also shows hospitals are routinely missing treatment targets.
More than 9,000 people waited more than 62 days to start following an urgent referral for suspected cancer in October, including more than 3,300 who have waited at least two months.
This is despite research showing every month in delay to starting treatment, typically hits survival chances by ten per cent.
Health leaders launched a major drive over the last two years to encourage millions to come forward for potentially life-saving checks, especially those at higher risk through hereditary or lifestyle factors.
Queen Camilla looks on as Dame Cally Palmer makes a speech during a visit to Maggies at The Royal Marsden on February 6, 2020
One example includes putting messages on urinal mats in pubs and football grounds asking men if there is ‘blood in your pee?’ which can be a symptom of bladder, kidney or prostate cancer.
More than 5,000 people have been diagnosed earlier via the Lung Health Check (TLHC) since it was launched in 2019, which uses mobile scanning trucks to offer in-depth checks to people at shopping centres, sports stadiums, food banks and supermarket car parks.
But levels for routine screening, such as breast and cervical, remain below pre-pandemic levels, with the latter declining steadily over the last decade.
NHS England’s top cancer doctor said the growing ageing population means cancer cases will continue to rise.
Professor Peter Johnson, said: ‘Our work to raise awareness, help to warn those at risk and encourage people to come forward for checks is vital to make sure people can get treatment promptly.
‘Talking about cancer helps save lives too so, if you’re seeing friends and loved ones this new year, please check in with them and have a conversation.’
Dame Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director for NHS England, said: ‘Lives are saved when cancers are caught early – and following a major drive on early detection in recent years, it’s really encouraging to see more people than ever are now being diagnosed at an earlier stage.
‘There is still much more to do to save more lives and we will not let up in our efforts to catch more cancers earlier, where treatment is more likely to be successful.
‘NHS teams across the country are continuing to take tests and checks closer to people who need them, and with new treatments being made available all the time, we will continue to do all we can to get people seen and treated for cancer as early as possible.’
Last month, the Government said that it will be publishing a National Cancer Plan ‘in due course’.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘This government will transform diagnostic services, so that we catch even more cases earlier and treat cancers faster, and we will deliver 40,000 more elective care appointments every week.
‘As part of our Plan for Change, we are determined to make the NHS fit for the future and fight cancer on all fronts – through improving prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and research.’
