The proportion of patients being diagnosed with cancer at an early stage in England has reached an unprecedented level, according to the latest NHS analysis.
This milestone reflects the success of recent initiatives aimed at promoting early detection and treatment.
The latest data on 13 of the most common cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung cancer, reveals that nearly three in five patients (58.7%) are now being diagnosed at stages one or two. Early-stage diagnosis is crucial as it significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.
From September 2023 to August 2024, 120,958 out of 206,038 common cancer cases were identified at an early stage. This marks a 2.7 percentage point improvement from pre-pandemic levels, translating to approximately 7,000 additional patients receiving early diagnoses.
National Cancer Director at NHS England, Dame Cally Palmer, 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.”
The NHS has been at the forefront of efforts to encourage early cancer detection over the past two years, with key initiatives including:
- NHS Lung Health Check (Targeted Lung Health Check Programme - TLHC): This programme utilises mobile scanning trucks and vans to provide comprehensive checks in community settings such as shopping centres, sports stadiums, food banks, and supermarket car parks. Since its launch in 2019, the TLHC programme has led to over 5,000 early lung cancer diagnoses.
- Liver Health Programmes: Similar to the TLHC, these programmes aim to identify liver cancer at an early stage through community-based screenings.
Early diagnosis is a critical factor in cancer treatment, offering patients a better prognosis and a higher likelihood of successful outcomes. The NHS's proactive approach, particularly in reaching high-risk individuals through community-based initiatives, has been instrumental in achieving these record-high early diagnosis rates.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer, also commented:
“As we all live longer and the number of people developing cancer continues to rise, the NHS is diagnosing more cancers than ever before.
“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.
“If anyone is worried they might have signs or symptoms of cancer, please encourage them to get checked – the NHS is here for people and wants to see them at the earliest opportunity.”
The NHS continues to prioritise early cancer detection, with ongoing efforts to expand and enhance screening programmes. By maintaining a focus on early diagnosis, the NHS aims to improve survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients across England.
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