Earlier detection of cancer offers arguably the single biggest opportunity to save lives from the disease, but there are many challenges of seeing this a reality for patients in the NHS.
The claim comes from Cancer Research UK’s Roadmap for the Early Detection and Diagnosis of Cancer report.
Cancer Research UK’s consultation of over 100 experts highlights the siloed early detection research and development ecosystem, from academia and industry to the health services and policymakers, which is hampering progress.
It proposes a series of tangible recommendations to unite these sectors, address these challenges and deliver a future where early detection of cancer is a routine reality.
It calls for the significant investment in diagnostic equipment and technologies, along with NHS staff, to support new ways of working.
The roadmap also calls to attention a market failure in early detection of cancer, with too few innovative technologies making it into the health system.
By having the right investments and policies in place, the UK has the potential to become a world leader in early detection and diagnosis of cancer, unlocking a major economic growth opportunity for the UK, the roadmap says.
The authors hope that the prioritisation of early detection and diagnosis of cancer by scientists, companies, health services and government will create a thriving multidisciplinary ecosystem, proactively managing patients’ health.