MS, Cabinet Minister for
Health and Care: I am writing to update Members of the Senedd
about the Welsh Government's intention to introduce a national
cancer strategy, in line with our commitment.
There can be little doubt that cancer the leading broad cause of
mortality in Wales is one of the most pressing health priorities
facing every advanced economy in the western world.
As I mentioned during plenary on 17 June, many of us
will be familiar with the statistic that one in two people will
be affected by cancer in their lifetime. But this should not be a
statistic to scare people; rather, it should rally us to action.
So, I am pleased to announce today the development of a ten-year
National Cancer Strategy for Wales. The first Welsh Government
cancer strategy since 2006.
Our new cancer strategy will set out an ambitious future for
cancer care in Wales.
It will give the NHS in Wales the clarity it needs to focus on
this set of conditions and to deliver better services and better
outcomes for the people of Wales.
It will reaffirm our commitment to achieving national cancer
waiting times in line with the best in Europe, support the NHS to
prepare for future change and innovation in clinical practice,
outline our approach to prevention and addressing regional and
rural inequality, and help take forward our wider manifesto
commitments on cancer.
I am to bring forward our strategy in time for World Cancer Day
on 4 February 2027. This will represent an important moment for
Wales to signal its contribution and ambition in the global
effort against cancer.
As a member of the European Cancer Organisation, I am keen that
we in Wales learn from international best practice and innovation
and maintain close ties with our European partners.
We will be reaching out to the NHS, the third sector, and other
partners over the coming months to engage with them and hear
their views about what needs to happen.
I have already requested a meeting with the Wales Cancer Alliance
of more than thirty cancer-related charities to hear their
thoughts and suggestions.
We will be launching a formal call for evidence within the first
100 days of the new government, to provide an opportunity for
people to help shape the strategy's development, ensuring our
approach is grounded in the latest evidence and is clinically
led.
And I ask Members, their constituents, and all other stakeholders
with an interest in cancer care and outcomes to share their
insights as part of that process. Given that cancer will affect
one in two of us over the course of our lives, I am determined to
ensure that.
We also have a range of other important commitments on cancer,
and we are moving at pace to deliver them.
In line with our 100 days plan, we are developing options on
introducing Right to Be Forgotten principles to support people
who have long ago been given the cancer all clear' but who may
still face difficulty accessing financial services.
We have begun scoping the potential for a travel and
accommodation fund for children and young people attending their
cancer appointments, and I will announce further detail in due
course.
We are also commissioning a feasibility study for establishing a
new Rapid Diagnostic Centre (RDC) in Powys to address gaps in
provision in the county, we have requested a visit from the
European Cancer Pulse initiative for 2027 to assess regional and
social disparities in the quality of cancer care in Wales and we
are in the process of arranging a Wales Cancer Conference for
2027, bringing together healthcare professionals and stakeholders
to share best practice and latest innovation on cancer care from
across Wales.
Delivering improvements for people affected by cancer is a
priority for this Government, and I have been clear that
publication of the strategy cannot wait.
Over the coming six months up to February 2027, we will be moving
at considerable pace to review evidence, engage with
stakeholders, and to draft, agree, and publish our
strategy.
This underlines our clear commitment to improving cancer care and
will continue to work with all partners to improve cancer
outcomes for our people.
