Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

Cancer

The Department’s policy for cancer services in England is set out in the Cancer Reform Strategy.

It aims to improve cancer prevention, speed up the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, reduce inequalities, improve the experience of people living with and beyond cancer, ensure care is delivered in the most appropriate settings and ensure patients can access effective new treatments quickly.

Cancer Reform Strategy

The Cancer Reform Strategy, launched on 3 December 2007, sets a clear direction for the development of cancer services in England over the next five years.

Over 1000 stakeholders were involved in the development of the strategy, including representatives from cancer charities, cancer professionals, NHS managers, patients and social care professionals. The National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards supported by a high-level Advisory Board led on this work.

Getting it right for people with cancer: clinical case for change

Published: 14/05/2007

In this report, Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, outlines how services are being configured to meet the needs of cancer patients.

Cancer news

Recent publications and developments in cancer care.

Cancer publications

Key DH documents about cancer and cancer care, principally for NHS staff and health professionals.

Manual for cancer services 2004

Manual for cancer services 2004

This revised Manual of Cancer Services is an integral part of the NHS Cancer Plan and modernisation of cancer services. It supports quality assurance of cancer services and enables quality improvement.

New cancer measures

Cancer registry measures for the manual for cancer services 2004

This presents the results of the consultation on cancer registry measures for the manual for cancer services.

Preventing cancer

By encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles, the Department aims to reduce the incidence of cancer in England.

Screening for cancer

Information and guidance about cancer screening programmes.

Cancer waiting times

A long-term goal set in the NHS Cancer Plan was that no suspected cancer patient should have to wait more than a month from time of being referred by their GP, until the start of treatment.

Cancer datasets

National cancer datasets that ensure consistency across healthcare boundaries were noted as a high priority in the June 2000 Cancer Information Strategy.

The national cancer registration system

The function of the nine regional cancer registries in England is to collect comparable, good quality cancer data and find trends and causal connections.

Cancer workforce

Initiatives and policies to help train and expand the cancer care workforce.

Supportive and specialist palliative care

By 2004, an extra £50 million will be invested to end inequalities in accessing specialist palliative care. The money will also enable the NHS to make a fairer contribution to hospice running costs.

Investing in facilities

The Cancer Plan promised substantial investment in facilities. The programmes to replace old equipment and provide new additional equipment are well underway.

Cancer research

The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) launched on the 1 April 2001, brings together the major funders of research (including the Government, the voluntary sector and industry) and allows a more strategic approach to identifying and supporting cancer research.

Additional links

Lung Cancer Awareness Month 2007

Raising awareness among health professionals and the public about the symptoms of lung cancer, and importance of early diagnosis.

NHS Cancer Plan

Government strategy document, setting out the actions needed to improve cancer prevention and screening services, cut cancer patient waiting times, enhance treatment and palliative care services, and boost UK cancer research.

Cancer Plan progress reports

Access keys