10.05.17
Cancer Research warns of diagnoses rising to two million by 2021
Cancer Research has today announced that two million people will be diagnosed with cancer by 2021 – and have called on the next government to renew its commitment to the Cancer Strategy.
In figures released today, Cancer Research predict that the yearly number of those given a diagnosis is likely to exceed 400,000 by 2020, which is up from 357,000 in 2014.
The forecast figures for 2017 to 2021 show the growing number of patients who will be in need of cancer care by the end of the next Parliament.
Cancer Research has also warned that diagnostic services are now feeling the strain and are not keeping up with increased demand – leading to patients waiting too long to start treatment after being urgently referred for tests.
Targets have also consistently been missed, as the goal of 85% of patients starting treatment within 62 days was found to have not been met for three years.
And now, the charity say that a renewed commitment to 2015’s Cancer Strategy for England needed to be supported by the next government in order to provide patients with world-class care.
Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy and information, said: “Tackling cancer and achieving world class outcomes for people across the country must be a priority for the next government.
“We know that action must be taken and the Cancer Strategy provides a plan for how to do this – but it can only be achieved by ensuring the NHS has the resources to prevent, diagnose and treat more people.”
The news comes after a report by professors at King’s College London found that David Cameron’s Cancer Drugs Fund that cost £1.3bn to develop did not deliver any meaningful value to patients.
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