The proportion of patients being diagnosed with cancer at an
early stage in England has risen to its highest ever level,
according to new NHS analysis.
Latest data on 13 of the most common cancers, such as breast,
prostate and lung cancer, shows that nearly three in five
patients are now being diagnosed at stages one or two, when the
cancer is easier to treat.
The increased number of cancers being caught earlier follows a
major drive by the NHS over the last two years to encourage
millions of people to come forward for potentially life-saving
checks, especially those who may be at higher risk as a result of
hereditary or lifestyle factors.
Rapid cancer registration data shows that 120,958 of the 206,038
common cancers (58.7%) diagnosed between September 2023 and
August 2024 were identified at an early stage – an improvement of
2.7 percentage points on pre-pandemic levels, corresponding to an
estimated additional 7,000 patients diagnosed at an early
stage.
Among the initiatives rolled out by the NHS to help catch more
cancers earlier are its innovative NHS Lung Health Check (TLHC)
and Liver Health Programmes.
They see hi-tech mobile scanning trucks and vans go
into the heart of communities to offer in-depth checks to people
at shopping centres, sports stadiums, food banks and supermarket
car parks.
Data shows more than 5,000 people have been diagnosed with lung
cancer earlier via the TLHC
programme, since it was launched in
2019.
Dame Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director for NHS
England, 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.”
One person who has benefited from an early cancer
diagnosis is , who is 72 years old, retired
and lives in Birkenhead. Paul had no symptoms at all when he went
for a Targeted Lung Health Check but a scan found lung
cancer.
Recalling the moment he was diagnosed, Paul
said: "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."
He added: "I've never had any problems with my chest but I was
given the check and then offered the scan, so I thought, why not.
I am so glad I went.
"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.
"I have spoken with several friends and former colleagues who
have put off having the check, after being offered it. I've told
them that they need to go.
"Why wouldn't you have a free check-up if it can spot something
early. If this can happen to me when I was so healthy, it can
happen to anyone."
Paul's wife, Karen, said: “If he had not
had that scan in August, within a few months he could have
started to feel sick because the cancer was growing rapidly.
Things moved quickly after he was diagnosed and the NHS has given
Paul fantastic care.”
New analysis also shows more people than ever before have been
tested for cancer over the last year.
Over 3 million people (3,071,055) were seen for urgent cancer
checks over the last year (November 2023 to October 2024), which
is up by over 100,000 on the same period the year before, and up
by over 700,000 on the same period five years ago – before the
Covid pandemic.
Since 2022, the NHS has carried out a series of national
awareness campaigns and unique initiatives, such as putting
messages on urinal mats in pubs and football grounds, on
underwear in Morrisons supermarkets, as well as on a large
double-decker bus travelling to cancer hot spots around the
country.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's National Clinical
Director for Cancer, said: “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 website has a range of
information and advice on cancer symptoms.
