The Government published the long-awaited National Cancer Plan for England on 4 February 2026. The Plan sets out how the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), working alongside the NHS, will improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research across England.
According to the DHSC, the Plan was shaped by an extensive call for evidence, with more than 11,000 responses informing its development. It represents a comprehensive strategy to address longstanding challenges in cancer care and to improve outcomes over the next decade and beyond.
Our insight on the Plan can be found below. If you require more detailed insight on what the Plan will mean for your organisation, please contact Brevia Health (+44 (0)20 7091 1655 or email contact@breviahealth.com).
The cancer landscape in the UK
The National Cancer Plan has been published at a time of significant pressure on the NHS. The Plan describes the NHS as being in “critical condition”, with long waits for GP appointments, diagnostic tests and hospital treatment. Cancer outcomes in the UK also lag many comparable countries.[1]
The Plan highlights stark inequalities in cancer incidence and survival rates, particularly in more deprived areas of England. Reducing these inequalities is a central theme throughout the strategy.[2]
Improving waiting times and diagnostic capacity
A major focus of the Plan is reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment by expanding and modernising diagnostic services.
Expanding diagnostic infrastructure
- Expansion of the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) estate to improve access and convenience.
- Increased histopathology capacity to reduce bottlenecks in cancer diagnosis.
- Scaling up single patient tracking lists across local providers to streamline pathways.
Using technology to improve productivity
- Harnessing AI to speed up lung cancer diagnosis.
- Making better use of digital, home-based and community innovations to maximise diagnostic capacity.
Harnessing new technology to speed up treatment
The Plan commits to investing in modern infrastructure and innovation to improve access to cancer treatment.
Key measures include:
- Investing in state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines.
- Delivery of the 10 Year Health Plan’s “five big bets” – including data, AI and robotics to improve productivity, increase treatment capacity and free up staff time for patient care.
- Investment in four new modern aseptic medicines production hubs to strengthen treatment supply and resilience.
Transforming cancer outpatient care
The Plan aims to make outpatient care more personalised and efficient by:
- Expanding straight-to-test pathways.
- Increasing use of patient-initiated follow-up.
- Making cancer a priority within NHS Online services, improving digital access and communication for patients.
Science, Innovation and Ambition for 2035
The Government has set an ambition for the UK to be a global leader in cancer outcomes by 2035. The goal is that by 2035, three-quarters of people diagnosed with cancer will either be cancer-free or living well with cancer five years after diagnosis.
Harnessing breakthroughs to transform outcomes
- Completing the national rollout of lung cancer screening by 2030.
- Expanding and improving bowel, cervical and breast screening programmes.
- Taking more proactive approaches to identifying people at higher risk of cancer.
- Reviewing the final recommendation of the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) on prostate cancer screening and implementing a programme where evidence supports it.
Reinventing the early diagnosis pathway
- Preparing the system for Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) tests and similar innovations.
- Providing patients with personalised insights into their cancer risk using NHS, genomic, lifestyle, demographic and wearable data.
- Increasing public awareness of cancer risk factors and improving cancer-specific health literacy.
A whole society focus on prevention
Prevention is a core pillar of the Plan, recognising that many cancers are preventable.
Key commitments include:
- Implementing the world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
- Partnering with food retailers and manufacturers to create healthier food environments.
- Acting on UV radiation exposure and alcohol-related harm.
World-class research and clinical trials
The Plan emphasises strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in cancer research.
Actions include:
- Establishing six research priorities focused on how the “five big bets” technologies can improve cancer outcomes.
- Launching a Cancer Trials Accelerator Programme to increase the speed, scale and reliability of cancer clinical trials across the UK.
- Ensuring the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) makes research more inclusive and accessible to underrepresented communities.
- Harnessing genomics to bring more patients into clinical trials.
Children and young people
The Plan includes targeted measures to improve outcomes for children and young people with cancer.
These include:
- Reducing variation in how primary and emergency care clinicians seek specialist advice when cancer is suspected in younger patients.
- Prioritising AI-based decision support tools, with appropriate safeguards.
- Providing up to £10 million per year to support travel costs for children and young people with cancer and their families.
Rare and Less Common Cancers
The Plan commits to giving rare cancers greater parity within the system.
Proposals include:
- Appointing a new national lead for rare cancers.
- Reducing the number of rare cancers diagnosed in emergency settings.
- Taking a more proactive approach to early-stage diagnosis.
- Working with rare cancer charities to improve post-treatment support.
- Exploring innovative procurement routes for diagnostics and treatments.
- Implementing the provisions of the Rare Cancers Bill in full to improve access to clinical trials.
Of particular interest was the multiple references to brain cancers and tumours in the Plan which is the biggest cancer killer of children and young adults under 40 in the UK.[3]
A Long-Term Commitment to Reform
The National Cancer Plan represents a wide-ranging reform programme, combining prevention, earlier diagnosis, faster treatment, research, technology and workforce investment. Its success will depend on sustained implementation, adequate funding and continued collaboration across the health system.
If delivered effectively, the Plan has the potential to significantly improve cancer outcomes and reduce inequalities across England over the next decade.
[1] DHSC, NHS, ‘The National Cancer Plan for England: delivering world class cancer care’, 4 February 2026, Link
[2] DHSC, NHS, ‘The National Cancer Plan for England: delivering world class cancer care’, 4 February 2026, Link
