Cancer Survival Rates in England and Wales Show Slowing Progress, Experts Call for Urgent National Cancer Plan.A new study has revealed that improvements in cancer survival rates in England and Wales have slowed dramatically since 2010, raising concerns among health experts and charities who are calling for a new long-term national cancer strategy.
The research, carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, analyzed survival data for 10.8 million adults diagnosed with cancer between 1971 and 2018. The study measured a survival index that factored in variables such as age, sex, and type of cancer.
Improvements Over Time but Slower in Recent Years
Over nearly five decades, there has been substantial progress in cancer survival. The five-year survival index rose from 28.8% in 1971–72 to 56.6% in 2018, reflecting significant medical advancements in diagnosis and treatment.
However, the study highlights that the pace of improvement has slowed sharply since 2010. For example:
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Between 2000–01 and 2005–06, the 10-year survival index improved by 4%.
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Between 2010–11 and 2015–16, the improvement was only 1.4%.
Researchers believe this slowdown is partly due to longer delays in diagnosis and treatment, which can worsen patient outcomes.
System-Wide Challenge Across Multiple Cancers
The decline in progress was not limited to one type of cancer but was observed across several forms, suggesting a system-wide issue in healthcare delivery.
Key findings include:
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Breast, cervix, rectum, prostate, testis, and uterus cancers: survival rates have plateaued in the last 10–15 years.
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Larynx cancer: survival rates have declined.
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Pancreatic cancer: remains one of the deadliest, with a survival rate of just 4.3% in 2018, showing little improvement since 1971.
Call for a National Cancer Plan
The report, funded by Cancer Research UK, stresses the urgent need for a new, long-term National Cancer Plan to address the slowdown and bring survival trends in line with the best-performing countries in the world.
Since the year 2000, national cancer strategies have been a central part of health policy in England and Wales. However, the fourth national cancer strategy, published in 2015, is now considered outdated, as survival trends have failed to meet its ambitious targets.
Plans for a fifth strategy were abandoned in January 2023, leaving England among the few high-income countries without a national cancer plan at the heart of its healthcare policy.
Why Action Is Urgently Needed
Experts warn that without a fresh and focused strategy, survival improvements may continue to stagnate. They stress the importance of:
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Faster diagnosis and reduced waiting times.
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Better access to advanced treatments.
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Increased investment in cancer research and innovation.
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Stronger support services for patients and families.
A spokesperson from the research team emphasized:
“Cancer survival in England and Wales has come a long way since the 1970s, but the slowdown in recent years is worrying. A new cancer plan could help put survival rates back on track and ensure patients receive world-class care.”
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