Health professionals

Cancer in the UK: Overview

Report - April 2026

About the report

Our Cancer in the UK: Overview report series summarises the current impact of cancer on people and health services in the UK today. It includes key evidence across the pathway, from cancer incidence to mortality and survival. It also examines cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and performance of cancer services. It looks at where progress is being made and what challenges remain.

The report sets out the priority actions that Cancer Research UK know are vital to preventing cancer and improving cancer outcomes. It also highlights how data-led insights can strengthen our ability to beat cancer for everyone.

Key statistics

The number of people diagnosed with cancer in the UK continues to grow. For the first time, the number of new cancer diagnoses each year in the UK has passed 400,000. If recent trends continue, new cases are projected to exceed half a million annually by 2040.
Cancer death rates have fallen and are at their lowest recorded level. However, because of the UK’s ageing and growing population, more people are dying from cancer than ever before, with around 170,000 deaths every year.
Cancer survival is higher than ever before and has doubled since the early 1970s. Half (50%) of people diagnosed with cancer in 2018 are expected to survive their disease for 10 years or more. But over time the rate of improvement has slowed and there is substantial variation between cancer sites, with long-term survival trends in most cancers plateauing or declining slightly.
The proportion of adults who smoke has decreased from 20% in 2011 to 11% today, but still around 5.3 million people smoke. Two-thirds (66%) of adults are living with overweight or obesity, and the proportion of adults living with obesity has increased from 25% to 30% since 2012.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage of a single dose is lower now than when the UK HPV vaccine programme started. Across UK nations, 76%-86% of girls, and 71%-80% of boys are fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15.
Uptake of bowel screening has increased over recent years. Across UK nations, uptake now ranges between 66% and 70%. The move to the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) has been the main driver of this increase. However, cervical screening coverage is declining and is around 55%-69% across the UK.
Reducing late-stage cancer diagnoses remains vital, but the proportion diagnosed at an early stage has shown little change. Across UK nations, just over half (51%-55%) of cancers are diagnosed early, and this proportion has remained stable over time.
Cancer waiting times performance are amongst the worst on record. More people are being referred for suspected cancer than ever before, and diagnostic services are struggling to keep up with demand. One target, which aims for patients to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral, has not been met since 2015 in England, 2012 in Scotland, or since its introduction in Northern Ireland in 2008.

What needs to be done?

Governments across the UK must make changes right across the cancer pathway. From preventing more cancers, to diagnosing more cancers earlier, reducing long waits for cancer care and investing in research.

The UK Government’s new National Cancer Plan for England set a bold vision: for 3 in 4 people with cancer in 2035 to survive their disease for 5 years or more. Delivering this will require clear implementation, the right investment and a consistent focus on cancer across the NHS.

In Scotland, sustained investment and a unified national effort will be essential to achieving the aims of the current cancer strategy. Wales needs a long‑term cancer strategy to drive progress. And in Northern Ireland, where many patients experience long waits for care, the Executive must set out a plan that protect patient safety and reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.

If governments across the UK act with determination, we can accelerate progress against the UK’s leading cause of death. We want to ensure that everyone can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.

2026 reports