Early detection cancer tests could join NHS screening within a decade

The UK Government's 10-year national cancer plan for England says multi-cancer tests using blood, urine, saliva and breath could become part of NHS screening during the plan, subject to review and evidence. The document also sets targets for personalised cancer plans, expanded diagnostics and meeting cancer waiting-time targets by 2029.

The government has published a 10-year national cancer plan for England that sets out ambitions to modernise diagnosis and care. It says tests that detect multiple cancers from blood, urine, saliva or breath could be integrated into NHS screening within the plan's timeframe, subject to review. The plan was launched by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who described his own experience of kidney cancer while outlining the proposals. It also describes targets for diagnostics, personalised care and vaccines over coming years. Reported highlights: - The plan says multi-cancer early detection tests, including liquid biopsies that analyse blood biomarkers and breath, saliva and urine tests, have potential to detect signals from more than 50 cancers before symptoms appear. - The NHS is already running the Galleri trial to assess a multi-cancer blood test in people with no symptoms. - Integration of such tests into national screening is described as an ambition, contingent on review by the UK National Screening Committee and evidence of efficacy, safety and value. - The plan commits to personal cancer plans for patients and to developing cancer vaccines, with an aim to deliver up to 10,000 cancer vaccines by 2030 and broader availability by 2035. - Targets include meeting all cancer waiting-time targets by 2029 and improving five-year outcomes so 75% of patients diagnosed from 2035 are cancer-free or living well after five years (up from about 60% now). - The document also notes expanded diagnostic capacity, including more MRI scanners with AI acceleration adding capacity for 154,000 additional scans to March 2029, wider rollout of specific clinics, and use of the NHS app as the cancer care front door by 2028. Summary: The plan lays out a long-term programme of early detection, personalised care and diagnostic expansion, and sets several dated targets through 2035. Integration of multi-cancer tests into screening depends on review and evidence, and stakeholders in the report say delivery and funding will determine how quickly the changes are implemented.