Prepare for a striking surge in cancer cases in England! By 2040, experts predict a person will be diagnosed with cancer every two minutes—an alarming increase from one every four minutes back in the 1970s.

Over the next 15 years, an eye-watering 6 million new cancer diagnoses are anticipated, raising serious concerns about the NHS's capacity to manage this influx. Cancer advocacy group, One Cancer Voice—a coalition of 60 charities—urges government officials to establish early diagnosis targets and implement robust prevention strategies to save lives and enhance cancer treatment outcomes.

The spike in cases is attributed to several factors, including a growing and aging population, advancements in cancer detection technologies, and an increase in risk factors associated with the disease. In the past 15 years alone, there were 5.5 million cancer cases, and forecasts now predict a 14.2% rise over the next decade and a half, culminating in 6.3 million total diagnoses by 2040.

Regionally, the southeast is projected to face the steepest rise, with more than a million new cases expected between now and 2040. Following closely are the northwest with 865,000 cases, the east of England and southwest both with 722,000, and London with 714,000 cases.

The report also highlights that common cancers are on track to hit record levels. This includes estimates of 1,050,000 new prostate cancer cases, 906,000 breast cancer cases, and 821,000 lung cancer cases by 2040.

Despite advances in survival rates—having doubled since the 1970s—the looming surge threatens to strain an already overburdened NHS. Without immediate and decisive action, England risks lagging behind other nations in cancer care and outcomes.

These alarming projections come as the Department of Health and Social Care seeks input for developing a national cancer plan. Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK and a representative of One Cancer Voice, emphasized the urgency, stating, "Almost half of us will face a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime—this will impact everyone, from patients to their loved ones. The national cancer plan is crucial; if executed with ambition and adequate funding, we could drastically improve outcomes and position England as a leader in cancer care. The time to act is now!"

The coalition has outlined six critical 'tests' they want ministers to meet to elevate England to a global leader in cancer care, including meeting all cancer waiting times by 2029, launching earlier diagnosis targets with enhanced screening, enforcing strong prevention measures, addressing healthcare inequalities, expanding access to clinical trials, and providing better support for cancer patients and survivors.

Responding to these concerns, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care highlighted the government's commitment to prioritizing cancer care, stating, "This government is revitalizing a decade of NHS neglect. We’ve seen early results, with 95,000 more people diagnosed or ruled out for cancer within 28 days compared to last year. Our forthcoming national cancer plan will outline forthcoming improvements in cancer care."