Almost three million tested for cancer in England over last 12 months

According to new analysis from NHS England, up to three million people were seen for an urgent cancer check over the last 12 months.  The number tested has risen by more than a quarter compared with the same period before the pandemic.

The government says early diagnosis is crucial to improving survival rates, but cancer charities have said other targets are being missed and many patients are waiting far too long for treatment.

The new analysis shows a record 2,980,258 people in England received an urgent cancer check between November 2022 and October 2023, the number being tested was up by around 5 per cent on the previous year and 26 per cent on the same period in 2018-2019.

Dame Cally Palmer, NHS England’s national cancer director, said “We know there is more to do, but we have been throwing everything we have at catching cancers earlier because we know it’s the best way to save lives – and we are seeing progress with more people than ever before being diagnosed at stage one and two.”

However, Macmillan Cancer Support’s head of policy Minesh Patel, said “Despite best efforts from NHS staff, the lack of support from the UK governments has left cancer services under immense strain and people living with cancer paying the price.

We need to see greater funding and support for the cancer workforce, both now and in the future.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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