Three-quarters of people with cancer to survive by 2035, government says

The government has pledged that three-quarters of people with cancer will survive by 2035, while professional bodies warn of specialist staff shortfalls and say some treatment-timing targets are being missed.

The government has pledged that three-quarters of people diagnosed with cancer will survive by 2035. The package includes timing targets intended to speed diagnosis and the start of treatment. Reports say the 28-day target for diagnosis is being met, while the 31-day target for treatment start is not being met. Professional bodies and charities have responded with concerns about staffing and existing survival gaps. Key facts: - The government announced a target that three-quarters of people with cancer will survive by 2035. - A 28-day target for diagnosis is reported as being met, but a 31-day target for starting treatment is reported as being missed. - The Royal College of Radiologists said there are insufficient specialist cancer staff; workforce surveys cited about a 30% shortfall in radiologists and a 15% shortfall in clinical oncologists. - Cancer Research UK analysis reported that the UK lags comparable countries on five-year survival for cancers such as colon, lung, stomach, pancreas and ovaries, giving examples for colon and lung survival rates. Summary: The pledge sets a national survival goal and has prompted warnings from professional bodies and charities about staffing and performance gaps. Meeting the targets is presented as linked to addressing specialist workforce shortfalls. Undetermined at this time.