Government Publishes Landmark National Cancer Plan for England

News - 19 February 2026

The Government has published its National Cancer Plan for England, outlining a decade-long strategy to improve cancer outcomes through faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and better support for patients. Key commitments include meeting all NHS cancer waiting time standards by 2029, expanding robot-assisted surgery, and improving screening and HPV vaccination programs. Healthwatch welcomes the focus on NHS administration, which reflects our findings on how system inefficiencies can impact patient experience. We will be monitoring local implementation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to ensure the plan delivers real improvements for patients, carers, and communities.

The Government has recently published its long-awaited National Cancer Plan for England, setting out a decade-long strategy to improve cancer outcomes for patients. The plan outlines how the NHS aims to provide faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and better support for people living with cancer.

The plan includes around 40 actions covering prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, workforce, and data, with several key commitments for patients and communities:

  • 75% of patients diagnosed from 2035 will be cancer-free or living well five years after diagnosis.
  • The NHS will meet all cancer waiting time standards by 2029, including 85% of patients starting treatment within 62 days of referral – a target not achieved since 2014.
  • A major expansion of robot-assisted surgery and faster diagnostics to help reduce delays.

Improving NHS Administration

We’re particularly pleased to see the Plan highlight the importance of getting NHS administration right. Action 15 commits to ensuring clinic lists are accurate, test results are available when needed, and pathways are actively reviewed by clinical and operational teams.

This focus reflects findings from Healthwatch, which have shown that administrative issues in the NHS can discourage patients from seeking care. Ensuring smooth processes isn’t just about efficiency – it’s vital for patient experience and safety.

Screening and Prevention

The Plan also promises to expand and improve bowel, cervical, and breast screening, with measures to:

  • Increase uptake and reduce inequalities in access to screening.
  • Roll out catch-up HPV vaccinations, supporting the goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040.

For prostate cancer, the Government will review recommendations following the UK National Screening Committee’s consultation on targeted screening for men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants. This is particularly relevant given Healthwatch insight showing that 79% of men would take part in prostate cancer screening if offered.

Challenges Ahead

The Plan comes at a challenging time for cancer services. Recent FOI analysis highlighted by the Liberal Democrats points to ongoing pressures, reinforcing that delivery of these commitments – not just the ambition – will matter to patients and communities.

Healthwatch’s Role

We will be monitoring closely how the National Cancer Plan is implemented locally and what it means for patient experience, access, and outcomes. Our aim is to ensure that patient voices are heard, and that services truly meet the needs of those affected by cancer.

Tell us about your experiences

NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during these challenging times, but there might be things that can be improved.

Your feedback can help services spot issues that are affecting care for you and your loved ones.

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