On World Cancer Day, 4th February 2022, the government launched an open consultation calling for evidence to inform the development of its 10-year Cancer Plan for England.
According the government website, one in every two people in England will be told they have cancer at some point in their lives.
The NHS Long Term Plan, published in 2019, set an ambition to save thousands more lives each year by dramatically improving how cancer is diagnosed and treated.
The Department of Health and Social Care is seeking the views of individuals, professionals and organisations to understand whether and how more can be done to make progress against this ambition, and to build on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the foreword to the 10-Year Cancer Plan: Call for Evidence, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, states:
“It is time to declare a national war on cancer, which is the biggest cause of death from disease in this country. It is a menace that has taken far too many people before their time and caused grief and suffering on a massive scale.
“Cancer is a disease that has cast a shadow over so many. One out of every two of us will have cancer at some point in our lives, and many more will have to support someone close to them who has it. This means we want to hear views from far and wide, including cancer patients, their loved ones, and those working in cancer care.
“Please help us shape this long-term vision and join this new national effort, as we strive to diminish this blight on this nation’s health and happiness.”
The consultation closes at 11:45pm on 1st April 2022 and is open to everyone aged 16 and over.
For more information and to respond online, click here.