NHS England cancer diagnoses at record high with 1,000 people diagnosed every day
While NHS is identifying more cases, it is failing to meet timescale targets on diagnosis and treatment, experts say Cancer diagnoses in England have hit record highs, with more than 1,000 people diagnosed every day, NHS figures show. But experts warned that although the health service is identifying more cases, it is still failing to meet timescale targets on diagnosis and treatment. Continue…
NHS England has identified a record number of cancer cases in 2024, with over 1,000 people diagnosed every day, as reported by the Guardian Health. While this represents progress in early detection, experts caution that the health service is still struggling to meet timescale targets for diagnosis and treatment. According to the latest cancer registration statistics, more than 373,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in England in 2024, with prostate, breast, lung, and bowel cancers accounting for half of all new diagnoses.
Despite improvements in the stage at diagnosis, with 56.7% of first new cancers detected at stage 1 and 2 in 2024, the NHS is still falling short of its targets. Only 78.6% of patients were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days of urgent referral in August, below the 80% target, and only 71.9% began treatment within 62 days, well below the 85% target.
Experts emphasize that while NHS staff are working hard to diagnose more cases, the growing demand on cancer services due to an ageing population and risk factors like obesity must be addressed through additional support, clear accountability, and adequate resources.
Brief written by urgent.news from Guardian Health's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
