Longer, better lives: A manifesto for cancer research and care (Cancer Research UK, June 2024)

Summary

Cancer Research UK has published a manifesto that sets out the measures and commitments the next government can make to help prevent 20,000 cancer deaths every year by 2040.

Content

Mission 1

• Rebuild the UK’s global position in biomedical research.
• We want the UK Government to pledge to back research: Set out a plan to close the more than £1bn funding gap for research into cancer over the next decade.

Mission 2

• Prevent more cancers than ever before.
• We want the UK Government to pledge to end cancers caused by smoking: Raise the age of sale of tobacco and fund a world-leading programme of measures to help people who smoke to quit.

Mission 3

• Diagnose more cancers early.
• We want the UK Government to pledge to drive earlier diagnoses: Implement proven measures, including a lung screening programme, to diagnose cancers early and reduce inequalities in access.

Mission 4

• Bring innovation to patients more quickly and reduce inequalities.
• We want the UK Government to end the waits: Ensure cancer wait time targets are met across England.

Mission 5

• Build a national movement to beat cancer, sooner.
• We want the UK Government to lead on cancer: Publish a long-term cancer strategy for England and establish a National Cancer Council, accountable to the prime minister, to drive cross-government action on cancer.