Breast Cancer Now welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to securing the greatest improvement in cancer outcomes this century, set out in the new National Cancer Plan for England. The ambition that, by 2035, 75% of people with cancer will be cancer-free or living well five years after diagnosis is bold. We stand ready to work in close partnership with government, the NHS and researchers to help turn this ambition into real and lasting change for people affected by breast cancer.
We particularly welcome the long-overdue commitment to ensure people living with incurable secondary breast cancer (also known as metastatic breast cancer), are properly counted by the health system. This is a change we have campaigned for over many years, and a vital step towards understanding need, improving care, and ensuring everyone living with secondary breast cancer is recognised, supported and included as the Cancer Plan is delivered.
Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said:
“We welcome the UK Government’s over-arching goal which aligns with our own ambition that everyone with breast cancer should live, and live well. Breast cancer is so far from a done deal - survival rates for this devastating disease have almost doubled over the last 50 years, but mortality and 5-year survival rates are worse in the UK than in similar countries.
“Each year, 11,500 women tragically die from breast cancer - almost all from incurable secondary, also known as metastatic, breast cancer. However, alarmingly we still don't have an accurate, up to date number of people living with this disease - leaving them feeling invisible within the health system - as if they don't count.
“We’re therefore delighted that, following years of campaigning by Breast Cancer Now, the patient group METUPUK, and others, the government has committed to defining and counting the number of people living with secondary breast cancer. We’re pleased that they have committed to this being delivered this year. While similar commitments have been made in previous strategies, change has been too slow. Action is needed now.
“The government’s commitment to meeting cancer waiting time targets by 2029 will also help transform the lives of women with breast cancer. Right now, too many women are denied access to the swift diagnosis and early treatment that are critical for improving their chances of survival. There remain huge variations in the percentage of people with breast cancer starting their treatment within 62 days of urgent referral and at worst this stands at just 23.7% of people.
“We stand ready to work in partnership with the government to deliver the aspirations of the Cancer Plan, so that everyone affected by breast cancer gets an early diagnosis, the best care and support, and access to new and better treatments that ultimately pave the way for a cure.”
Notes to editors
- Survival rates for breast cancer have doubled over the last 50 years. Source: Cancer Research UK, breast cancer statistics: Breast cancer statistics | Cancer Research UK