Following Prime Minister David Cameron’s commitment to improve cancer care last fall, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced detailed plans to reform cancer care in England. The plans aim to prevent cancer, improve cancer services, and improve outcomes to achieve survival rates comparable to the best in Europe. England currently lags other countries, with colon cancer survival rates among the lowest in Europe.
“Improving Outcomes–A Strategy for Cancer” commits over £750 million over four years and aims to save 5,000 additional lives per year, beginning in the year 2014–15. Specifically, £450 million will be designated to increase early diagnosis by increasing funding for GPs to introduce new screening programs and provide access to diagnostic and other tests in secondary care, such as ultrasounds, MRIs, and radiotherapy. The early diagnosis funding would also go toward Public Health England, the new agency charged with improving public health and reducing health inequalities, to promote screening and raise awareness about cancer signs and symptoms.
Sources:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleases/DH_123438
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/12/cancer-diagnosis-andrew-lansley