We look at what is in the strategy, how it affects you, and how you can get involved.
We look at what is in the strategy, how it affects you, and how you can get involved.
This week our MPs had their annual debate around the Cancer Strategy in England. The strategy has the potential to transform cancer care and improve the lives of people affected by breast cancer. But, at its crucial halfway point, it risks going off track unless the government takes action.
What is the Cancer Strategy?
The Cancer Strategy in England is a plan to transform cancer care by improving survival rates and, importantly, the experience of people affected by cancer. The strategy’s implementation plan has 96 recommendations to be delivered by 2020, including:
- measures to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment
- patient experience
- supporting people with secondary cancers.
It was created by NHS’s Independent Cancer Taskforce, a group led by Cancer Research UK, and published in 2015.
How does the strategy affect me?
Our Campaigns Network have helped us raised concerns about the progress being made in delivering some of these key measures. Ahead of the debate, we asked MPs to raise these three key issues that we know are important to you.
1. Secondary breast cancer recommendations
The strategy recommends that data is collected around people with secondary breast cancer. It also recommends that every person with a secondary diagnosis has access to a nurse specialist. These are issues that we have been campaigning for through our Secondary. Not Second Rate. campaign.
2. Access to support
The strategy also recommends that every person with cancer has access to a range of support services and information to help them in their recovery. We know that the end of treatment can often be the most difficult time for people, so access to our services such as Moving Forward is vital at this time.
3. Survival rates
If all 96 recommendations are implemented, the Taskforce suggests that an additional 30,000 people diagnosed will survive cancer by 2020.
What are MPs debating?
On 21 February 2018, MPs debated the delivery of the Cancer Strategy in England in the House of Commons.
The debate was called by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Cancer and led by Dr Lisa Cameron MP. In December last year, the APPG published a report on the progress of the strategy at its halfway point. The report concluded that,
NHS England will struggle to achieve the objectives set out in the Cancer Strategy unless corrective action is immediately taken.
Lisa Cameron MP included all three of our priorities for breast cancer in the Cancer Strategy.
Karen Lee MP focused on ensuring people with secondary breast cancer have access to a specialist nurse.
The Shadow Public Health Minister, Sharon Hodgson MP, highlighted our research which showed that 42% of hospital trusts and health boards do not provide designated specialist nurses for people with secondary breast cancer.
In the Government’s response, Cancer Minister, Steve Brine MP, highlighted the commitment to supporting those living with and beyond cancer. The minister also highlighted that, in Health Education England’s workforce plan, the number of nurse specialists will be expanded so that every person with cancer has access to this support by 2020.
How can I get involved?
If you want to help us make sure this vision becomes a reality, join our campaigns network. We’ll keep you updated on important developments like the cancer strategy and provide you with opportunities to get involved in our campaigns.