Early cancer detection has reached the highest levels ever in England. An analysis of rapid cancer registration data by the NHS showed that 58.7% of the common cancers diagnosed in the previous year were diagnosed early at stage one or two.
‘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,’ said Dame Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director for NHS England. ‘We will continue to do all we can to get people seen and treated for cancer as early as possible.’
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These early diagnoses follow a major drive by the NHS, such the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC), to encourage the public to receive potentially life-saving checks for cancer despite having ‘no symptoms’:
‘That first scan gave me a chance of life. I had no symptoms whatsoever and was fit and healthy, so I was devastated when they told me it was cancer,’ said Paul Nelson, a 72-year-old man who received a TLHC scan. ‘This has now been caught early enough for treatment – if things had been left for a few more months it could have been very different.’
The NHS is working to raise awareness and increase the number of early cancer diagnoses amongst the public. Over 3 million people were seen for urgent cancer checks between November 2023 and October 2024, which is over 100,000 more people seen than the previous period. While the early diagnoses have reached record numbers, it’s still over 15% shy of the NHS’ goal. According to the NHS Long Term Plan, the aim is to diagnose 75% of cancer in the early stages by 2028. To do so, the NHS is carrying out national awareness campaigns and initiatives such as high-traffic bus adverts to inform and urge the public to get checked for cancer.
‘As we all live longer and the number of people developing cancer continues to rise, the NHS is diagnosing more cancers than ever before,’ said Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer. ‘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.’