Cancer diagnoses in the UK have reached a record high, with one person being diagnosed every 80 seconds, according to a report by Cancer Research UK. More than 403,000 people are now diagnosed with cancer each year, largely due to an ageing and growing population.
Key Takeaways
The UK has reached a record high in cancer diagnoses, with one person diagnosed every 80 seconds according to Cancer Research UK's report. This increase is attributed to an ageing population and rising obesity levels. The NHS faces significant challenges due to the growing demand for care and worsening waiting times.
The NHS is struggling to cope with the rising demand for care, with cancer waiting times among the worst on record. Incidences have risen to 620 per 100,000 people from 610 a decade ago, partly driven by rising obesity levels. The proportion of cases diagnosed early has barely changed, inching up from 54% to 55%, as reported by The Guardian and Sky News.
The report highlights that while death rates have fallen and survival rates have improved, progress is at risk of stalling due to pressure on cancer services. Cancer Research UK praised the government’s recently published national cancer plan for England but emphasized the need for funding and resources to translate ambition into impact. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, stated that publishing the plan is not a 'job done' on cancer and that ambitions to diagnose cancers earlier must happen quickly.
The charity wants screening programmes such as those for lung cancer to be introduced widely and effectively, with innovative cancer tests rolled out more rapidly. About 107,000 cancer patients waited more than 62 days to begin treatment across the UK in 2025, according to Cancer Research UK's report. The charity also called for more investment across the UK in specialist staff and equipment.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said that a record number of diagnostic tests have been delivered in the last 12 months, backed by an extra £26 billion for the NHS. They noted that the number of patients getting a cancer diagnosis or all-clear on time is the highest in five years but acknowledged that they are not complacent.
The national cancer plan sets out how patients will receive a diagnosis faster and treatment sooner, with the aim of 75% of patients diagnosed from 2035 to be cancer-free or living well after five years. The historic Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is due to come into law soon, aims to protect future generations from cancer.
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