i can issue 7

A progress report

Professor Mike Richards CBE

The NHS Cancer Plan is a long-term strategy covering all aspects of cancer - prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and care, as well as research to build for the future. Three years after its publication, significant progress is being made on all aspects of the plan - with clear benefits for patients.

Smoking and poor diet are the two most important preventable causes of cancer. Over the past three years the NHS has established a world-leading programme of smoking cessation services, tobacco advertising has been banned and a ‘5 A DAY’ programme to encourage people to eat more fruit and vegetables has been introduced.

On screening, the Cancer Plan made a commitment to extend screening programmes where it is clear that these will save lives. Screening has decreased the number of cases of cervical cancer by over 40% since 1988 and has contributed to the 21% fall in deaths from breast cancer. The breast screening programme is now being extended to women aged 65 to 70. This may sound simple, but it involves a 40% increase in the staffing for the service as women will be screened seven, rather than five, times in their lives.

Waiting times are a particular cause of anxiety among patients who may have cancer. Good progress has been made in reducing waits to be seen at hospital. Over 98% of patients with suspected cancer are now being seen by a specialist within two weeks of urgent referral by their GP. The Cancer Services Collaborative project is working across the country to reduce waits for diagnosis and treatment. Unprecedented numbers of new scanners and radiotherapy machines have been installed over the past three years. More staff are being trained - but this clearly takes several years to deliver major benefits.

When patients have been diagnosed with cancer they need to know that they will receive the best treatment and care. One of the most important changes in recent years has been the establishment of specialist teams dealing with different types of cancer (breast, bowel, lung and so on) across the country. These teams are ensuring that patients have access to the best advice and treatment.
One of the major initiatives that I am leading at present is to improve the information, support and care that patients receive throughout their illness. Last year we published the results of the largest ever cancer patient survey. Over 65,000 patients took part, showing how keen they are to contribute to the improvement of services. Learning from this survey, I am working with patient groups, charities and NHS staff to ensure that these issues receive the priority they deserve.

I have no doubt that many patients are benefiting from the good progress that is being made in implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan. I also recognise that there is still a lot to be done. However, I am confident that, working together, we will continue to drive up the standard of care for patients.

Mike Richards
National Cancer Director