England: A national cancer plan to save 320,000 lives by 2035

The British government has published a new national cancer plan aimed at a structural transformation of the healthcare system.[1]. The stated objective is to significantly improve five-year survival rates, diagnose more cancers at an early stage, and reduce social inequalities in health. The plan aims for three out of four people diagnosed in 2035 to be cured or living with their cancer long-term, representing an additional 320,000 lives saved over the period. It notably includes 9.5 million additional diagnostic tests per year, a massive rollout of lung cancer screening, a digital modernization of the patient journey, and strong prevention measures, including a gradual ban on the sale of tobacco to younger generations.

The plan is based on extensive public and institutional consultation. More than 11,000 contributions were collected, including nearly 7,000 from current or former patients and approximately 2,000 from caregivers. The guidelines are based on an analysis of the National Health Service (NHS) performance, international comparisons of cancer survival rates, and a prospective model of needs up to 2035. The commitments and monitoring indicators are detailed in the official document presented to the UK Parliament.

Modernize diagnosis and reduce waiting times for treatment

One of the central focuses of the plan is to address delays in diagnosis and treatment, considered a major factor in patients' missed opportunities for care. The NHS plans to perform 9.5 million additional tests per year by 2029 through the deployment of community-based diagnostic centers accessible outside of hospitals, with extended hours and an organization designed to limit travel and multiple appointments. This strategy aims to bring testing locations closer to patients, streamline care pathways, and alleviate pressure on hospitals.

The transformation also relies on increased digitization of the system. This includes the use of artificial intelligence for interpreting medical images, the development of integrated patient records, the pooling of waiting lists between institutions, and the automation of certain administrative tasks. All of these measures should accelerate treatment decisions and optimize existing capabilities. The stated objective is for the vast majority of patients to receive a diagnosis or reassuring results in less than 28 days and to be able to begin treatment within timeframes compatible with clinical standards. By improving the speed and reliability of diagnosis, the government hopes to significantly increase the proportion of cancers detected at an early stage, which is a key determinant of long-term survival.

Making prevention a key pillar of cancer policy

Beyond improving care, the plan clearly states that a sustainable reduction in the cancer burden requires primary prevention. Authorities reiterate that approximately one-third of cancers are attributable to preventable risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, obesity, alcohol, and certain infections. With this in mind, the government intends to combine public health policies, regulatory actions, and targeted screening strategies to decrease the future incidence of the disease.

Organized screening is a key priority. The national lung cancer screening program must be implemented nationwide by 2030, with a particular focus on at-risk populations, especially smokers and former smokers, for whom early diagnosis already translates into a significant improvement in survival rates. Colorectal and cervical cancer screening programs must also be strengthened, with more sensitive tests and simplified procedures, including self-sampling to remove barriers to participation. This approach also aims to reduce social inequalities in health, as disadvantaged populations are more exposed to risk factors and less likely to access prevention programs.

Tobacco: a key lever for reducing the risk of cancer

Smoking is explicitly identified as the leading preventable cause of cancer and a key driver of mortality inequalities. The authors of the plan emphasize that lung cancer is a major contributor to the life expectancy gap between advantaged and disadvantaged areas, and that reducing smoking is therefore a public health and social imperative.

In this context, the government announced the adoption of legislation presented as one of the most ambitious in the world. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will establish a generational ban on tobacco sales: anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, will no longer be legally able to purchase tobacco products. This measure aims to gradually create a "tobacco-free generation" by preventing young people from starting to smoke rather than simply focusing on cessation programs. It is part of a very long-term prevention strategy designed to structurally reduce the incidence of tobacco-related cancers and, ultimately, the strain on the healthcare system.

Authorities therefore consider tobacco control a major tool for public health planning, capable of significantly altering the epidemiological trajectory of cancers. By acting upstream on consumption, the United Kingdom seeks not only to prevent thousands of cancer cases but also the associated avoidable deaths.

©Generation Without Tobacco

AE

[1] Analysis, A turning point for cancer? Breaking down the National Cancer Plan for England, Cancer Research UK, published on February 4, 2026, accessed on February 11, 2026