James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe, has welcomed the government’s landmark new National Cancer Plan, partly shaped by Nottingham academics, which will deliver faster diagnosis, quicker treatment and better long-term support for cancer patients locally and across the country.
The plan sets out ambitious steps to improve cancer survival and patient experience, including a commitment that three in four people diagnosed with cancer from 2035 onwards will be cancer-free or living well five years after diagnosis. Backed by record NHS investment, the plan is expected to save 320,000 lives over its lifetime.
For the first time, the National Cancer Plan includes a dedicated chapter for children and young people, with targeted action to improve diagnosis times, expand access to clinical trials and prioritise research for rarer cancers. This work has been shaped by the Children and Young People’s Cancer Taskforce, which Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel from the University of Nottingham supports as Vice-Chair.
Research led by Nottingham experts, including the Childhood Cancer Diagnosis Study, has highlighted unacceptable delays in diagnosing some cancers in young people. This evidence has directly informed new commitments in the Plan to accelerate accurate diagnosis for patients aged 0–24.
Commenting, James Naish MP said: “Many families in Rushcliffe have been touched by cancer. For too long, people have faced long waits for diagnosis and treatment, adding stress at an already frightening time. I welcome the National Cancer Plan which will mean earlier diagnosis, faster treatment and better support for people living with cancer. It’s an important step for patients here in Rushcliffe and across the country.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Thanks to the revolution in medical science and technology, we have the opportunity to transform the life chances of cancer patients. Our cancer plan will slash waits, invest in cutting-edge technology, and give every patient the best possible chance of beating cancer.”
Alongside improvements in cancer care and research, the National Cancer Plan commits to meeting all cancer waiting time standards by March 2029, expanding community diagnostic centres, investing in robot-assisted surgery, and taking strong action on prevention, including a generational ban on smoking.
In related news, on 28th January, the University of Nottingham opened a Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence. Funded by a £2.6 million charity investment from Brain Tumour Research, the Centre will focus on finding better treatments for glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer using advanced imaging, genomic analysis and artificial intelligence.
ENDS
Link for the final paragraph: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/brain-tumour-centre-launch
