The National Cancer Plan

What is the National Cancer Plan?

The National Cancer Plan for England sets out a long‑term, 10‑year approach to improving cancer outcomes, experience and equity across the country. Published in February 2026, the plan describes how the NHS, working with partners, will transform cancer care so that by 2035 three in four people diagnosed with cancer will survive for five years or more, or live well with cancer. The plan has been shaped by engagement with patients, carers, professionals and charities, with more than 11,000 responses to a national call for evidence. It builds on the NHS 10‑Year Health Plan and applies its three major shifts specifically to cancer care.

The ambition

At its heart, the National Cancer Plan is about:

• Diagnosing cancer earlier so more people can start treatment sooner.
• Improving cancer waiting times and performance, so care is timely and consistent.
• Raising survival rates, including for children, young people, and people with rarer cancers.
• Helping people live well with and beyond cancer, with better support for quality of life.
• Reducing health inequalities, so outcomes do not depend on where you live or who you are.

The plan recognises that cancer outcomes in England have fallen behind similar countries and sets out a clear direction of travel to close that gap over the next decade.

Key themes in the Plan

Earlier and faster diagnosis

Earlier diagnosis is a central priority. The plan commits to expanding and improving screening programmes, increasing diagnostic capacity, and redesigning pathways so people get the right tests more quickly. Faster diagnosis reduces anxiety for patients and improves the chances of successful treatment.

Improving performance and waiting times

Cancer waiting time standards remain a cornerstone of high‑quality cancer care. The plan reinforces the expectation that these standards should be met and sustained, supported by better use of data, pathway improvement and collaboration across systems.

Designing care around people’s lives

The plan places greater emphasis on person‑centred care, including personalised cancer care plans, better coordination across services, and improved support for people living with and beyond cancer. This includes attention to physical, emotional and practical needs, not just treatment.

Prevention and tackling inequalities

Preventing cancer and narrowing health inequalities are essential to improving outcomes. The plan highlights the importance of prevention, early action on symptoms, and targeted approaches for communities that experience poorer outcomes or face barriers to accessing care.

Innovation, data and research

Innovation plays a critical role in the plan. This includes greater use of digital tools, data and research to support earlier diagnosis, better treatment decisions and improved patient experience, alongside increased participation in clinical research.

Care closer to home

The plan aims to make cancer care easier to access by moving more support out of hospital and into local communities. This includes:

• More care in community settings, reducing travel and making services more convenient.
• Treatment at home when safe, such as expanding chemotherapy at home.
• Local personalised support, including rehabilitation, emotional support and links to voluntary‑sector services.

Overall, the focus is on ensuring people can get the right help, closer to where they live.

What the National Cancer Plan means for us

We welcome the National Cancer Plan and its clear focus on earlier diagnosis, performance improvement, quality of life and reducing inequalities. The plan aligns closely with the work already underway across the North East and North Cumbria, including:

• Improving faster diagnosis pathways and cancer waiting times
• Increasing screening uptake and symptom awareness, particularly in underserved communities
• Supporting innovation and adoption of best practice across cancer pathways
• Working with voluntary, community and system partners to help people live well with and beyond cancer

The plan provides a strong national framework to support and inform our work with partners to improve cancer care and outcomes for local people.

Find out more

You can read the full National Cancer Plan for England: Delivering World Class Cancer Care on GOV.UK, including detailed commitments and case studies.

Read the National Cancer Plan for England

If you would like to know more about how the Northern Cancer Alliance is supporting delivery of the plan locally, please explore our work across early diagnosis, treatment, experience of care and living with and beyond cancer sections of the website.