
Britain targets 75% five-year cancer survival by 2035 with faster diagnosis plan
The government unveiled a 10-year cancer strategy to lift five-year survival to 75% by 2035, focusing on earlier diagnosis and faster treatment, including an 85% 62-day referral-to-treatment target by 2029 (up from about 70%), 9.5 million more tests and scans by 2029, expanded screening (bowel and ex-smoker lung), more precision robotic surgery, expanded genetic testing for targeted therapies, and every patient getting a named local care lead with tailored support. Achieving this will require substantial staff recruitment amid current shortages in radiology and clinical oncology, and critics say stronger emphasis on prevention is also needed. Current five-year survival was around 60% in 2022, and the UK lags behind peers on several cancers.












