Cancer diagnoses in England hit record 1,000 a day

Record cancer diagnoses in England

More than 373,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in England in 2024, the highest figure on record. NHS England diagnosed 1,021 people a day on average.

Four cancers account for half of cases

Prostate, breast, lung and bowel cancers accounted for half of all new diagnoses in 2024. These four cancer types represent the majority of cases identified.

More cancers caught at early stage

56.7% of first new cancers were diagnosed at stage 1 and 2 in 2024, compared with 55.8% in 2023. The figures showed improvements in stage at diagnosis.

NHS missing diagnosis targets

78.6% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in August, below the 80% target. The health service is falling short.

Treatment delays worse than diagnosis

71.9% of patients began cancer treatment within 62 days of urgent referral in the latest figures, well below the 85% target. The health service is lagging further on treatment.

Experts call for government action

Dr Ian Walker at Cancer Research UK said the NHS needed additional support to reduce late stage diagnoses and meet treatment timescales. The government must keep its commitment to the national cancer plan.

“The UK government pledged to improve early diagnosis, cancer waiting times and access to treatment in its national cancer plan for England. It now needs to keep its foot on the pedal.”

Ageing population and obesity drive rise

Dr Hilary Williams at the Royal College of Physicians said an ageing population is an important factor in increased diagnoses, but obesity is a major and often overlooked risk factor for cancer.

“An ageing population is an important factor in the increase in diagnoses, but we must also recognise the role of obesity, which is a major and often overlooked risk factor for cancer.”