We’ve signed up to a consensus statement developed by One Cancer Voice, a collaborative group of over 50 cancer charities, welcoming the Government’s Call for Evidence to inform a new 10-Year Cancer Plan. In the statement, we set out 10 tests that the new 10-Year Cancer Plan must meet if it’s to be successful in delivering world-leading and transformative change for cancer patients.
On World Cancer Day (February 4 2022) Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid MP, launched a Call for Evidence to inform the development of a 10-Year Cancer Plan. Individuals and organisations were invited to respond, answering questions on prevention, faster diagnosis, treatment and care, support and aftercare, and research and data.
Alongside submitting our own response to the Call for Evidence to highlight the unique barriers those affected by brain tumours face, we’ve also signed up to the consensus statement published by One Cancer Voice today (March 30 2022). We believe that the 10 tests laid out are fundamental to the 10-Year Cancer Plan’s success and would bring significant improvement to patient experience if met.
The 10 key tests the 10-Year Cancer Plan should meet for it to be successful are:
- The 10-Year Cancer Plan has clear political leadership, is fully costed and funded throughout its lifetime, with an annual report published on progress made against its ambitions.
- More cancers are prevented and England is ‘smoke free’ beyond 2028.
- The public is aware of the risk factors, signs and symptoms of cancer and act on them, leading to improvements in presentation. Emergency presentation is reduced to fewer than 5%.
- Progress towards early diagnosis is accelerated so that by 2032 78% of people are diagnosed at stage one or stage two and a 95% Faster Diagnosis Standard is met.
- Every person with cancer can access the treatment they need, at the right time, for the best outcomes. Cancer Waiting Time targets are met in every part of the country.
- By 2032, everyone with cancer is able to access a needs assessment and personalised care plan to support their health and wider wellbeing needs.
- Workforce and equipment shortages are addressed so that every person with cancer has access to the specialist workforce they need when they need it.
- Cases of cancer attributable to inequalities have meaningfully decreased.
- Clinical research capacity is increased, health service staff have access to dedicated research time and training and all populations are given the opportunity to participate in clinical trials.
- Data collection is timely, accessible, standardised and comprehensive and data is analysed and published swiftly to support the delivery and monitoring of all aspects of cancer across the pathway and cancer research.
The consensus statement has been sent to the Secretary of State, Sajid Javid MP, for consideration by the Department of Health and Social Care in the development of the 10-Year Cancer Plan.
We’ll keep you updated on this consensus statement, the development of the 10-Year Cancer Plan, and our work with the One Cancer Voice coalition.
Don’t forget there are only a few days left to submit a response to the Government’s 10-Year Cancer Plan Call for Evidence, you can find our guidance and how to submit a response here.