Wes Streeting's cancer plan may overlook survivors' long-term needs

A bowel cancer survivor says the government's National Cancer Plan stresses earlier diagnosis and extra testing but gives little detail on long-term survivorship care.

I was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer seven years ago and was declared cancer-free after treatment. Since then I have experienced ongoing physical and psychological effects and recently had major surgery to address treatment-related complications. The Government published its National Cancer Plan for England this month, which aims to improve survival and expand early diagnosis. The plan includes promises of personalised support plans and a named lead after treatment but offers limited detail on long-term survivorship services. Key points: - The plan sets a target that by 2035 three-quarters of patients diagnosed five years earlier will be cancer-free or living well. - It proposes a £2.3 billion investment in early diagnosis and 9.5 million additional tests within three years. - The document says patients will receive personalised support plans and a named lead responsible for joining up post-treatment care. - The author reports continued physical and psychological effects after treatment and has recently undergone further major surgery. - The author and other survivors say the plan provides little information on proactive, ongoing survivorship services. Summary: The plan focuses on earlier diagnosis and boosting survival but gives sparse detail on how long-term care for survivors will be delivered. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged survivorship will be a "growing challenge." The author is currently recovering from surgery and remains under follow-up. Undetermined at this time.