Publication: Longer, better lives: a manifesto for cancer research and care, Cancer Research UK
What are the main points?
> Cancer Research UK has published a plan that, if adopted, would ensure the UK is among the best in the world for cancer survival by 2035.
> The manifesto asks the government, ahead of the next general election, to commit to a 10-year cancer plan, led by a national cancer council.
> Five ‘missions’ have been outlined for the government to follow: rebuild the UK’s position in biomedical research; prevent more cancer cases; diagnose earlier and reduce inequalities; bring tests, treatment, and innovations to patients quicker; build a national movement to beat cancer.
> Almost half of cancers in England are diagnosed at a late stage, and around 1 in 5 patients are diagnosed via emergency routes. The charity (and public) want to see measures to change this.
EXPERT THOUGHT
Michelle Mitchell, Chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: ‘Avoiding thousands of cancer deaths is possible, but it will take leadership, political will, investment and reform. We estimate that half a million people – friends, colleagues and loved ones – will be diagnosed with the disease every year by 2040. Their lives are at stake if we don’t act now.’
Image | Freepik
