Six months ago, an independent taskforce was established by NHS England to develop a new cancer strategy, with the aim of not just improving England's cancer survival, but also how the disease could be prevented and how patients are looked after. We've been involved in developing this new plan and yesterday the Taskforce published its recommendations, announcing 6 strategic priorities that the NHS in England should focus on to radically improve the outcomes they deliver for people affected by cancer.

1. Early diagnosis: Will focus on the speed and accuracy of testing, with an aspiration that by 2020, 95% of patients will be diagnosed and have their results communicated to them within four weeks.
2.Prevention: Focusing on a new tobacco control strategy and a national plan to tackle the challenges of obesity.
3. The patient experience: An ambition to revolutionise the way patients are communicated with across their cancer journey. For example, giving electronic access to test results.
4. Modernising cancer services: Investments to ensure patients get access to and receive cutting edge treatments. For example, radiotherapy.
5. Commissioning, accountability and provision: Recognising the complexity of the NHS, many recommendations are around clarity on where decision-making should sit and how services are commissioned.
6. Living with and beyond cancer: To transform how patients are supported after their initial treatment.

If these recommendations are successfully implemented, it’s estimated that 30,000 more patients will survive their cancer each year by 2020, closing the gap in survival rates between England and the best countries in the world.

Cancer research UK will of course have an important role in pressing for these proposals to be implemented – particularly in early diagnosis, prevention and modernising services.

If you’d like to read more about the Cancer Taskforce and its recommendations, you can get more detail here or read Harpal’s blog