The scale of the cancer challenge is huge

Editor,

Every cancer patient deserves the best possible chance of survival and early diagnosis is vital for adding years - as well as quality - to the lives of people with the disease.

Right now, the need is clear, and it is growing.

One in two people will be diagnosed with cancer and currently patients across England experience poorer cancer outcomes than in other countries.

The pledge made by Prime Minister Theresa May is a monumental step in the right direction and it is hugely promising to see such an ambitious focus on cancer care.

As members of the National Cancer Advisory Group to the NHS and the two largest cancer charities in the UK we urge the Government and local NHS leaders to maximise the once-in-a-generation opportunity of the 10-year plan.

The scale of the challenge is huge and must not be underestimated.

Achieving this ambition will require a revolution in the way cancer services are delivered: improvements in screening, encouraging more people with symptoms to come forward sooner, and developing new diagnostic services.

It will also require a more personalised approach to treatment and care, tackling health inequalities.

Fundamental to all of this is having more skilled NHS staff.

The 10-year plan provides an opportunity to ensure people living with cancer get world class care – we must listen to them and those that support them.

We look forward to working together to make this ambition a reality.

Emma Greenwood                                          

Director of Policy and Public Affairs               

Cancer Research UK                                    

The views expressed are those of the author of the letter and not those of Oldham Chronicle.