With a target of having three out of four of all cancers in England detected at an early stage by 2028, the government has brought forward actions to make this happen including an 'overhaul' of screening programmes, investment in state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, and funding for research.
According to a gov.uk information page screening programmes will be made more accessible and easier to use. There will be spending on mobile lung screening units and rapid diagnostic centres opening across the country with same-day testing.
Artificial intelligence will be employed to better target at-risk populations and bring screening closer to home, as well as speeding up access to treatments, quicker translation of breakthroughs into practice, and spending on cancer research centres.
Currently, 52% of the top 10 cancers are diagnosed at stages 1 and 2. The government aims to increase this to 75% over the next 10 years.