Catching cancer early: exploring recent research into early detection
Detecting cancer earlier is one of the most effective ways to improve survival. It means patients can receive treatment sooner, making it more likely the cancer can be cured.
Cancer survival has been improving in the UK, but it still lags behind comparable countries. The NHS Long Term Plan aims to save thousands more lives each year by dramatically improving how and when cancer is detected and treated. It sets the ambition that, by 2028, 75% of people with cancer will be diagnosed at an early stage (up from just over 50%).
This Collection explores recent NIHR-supported research into the early detection of cancer. Some studies address the needs of specific groups, others look at new approaches to screening. The Collection brings together messages from research that has been highlighted in accessible summaries of evidence – NIHR Alerts – over the past year.
Highlights from the Collection include:
- A summary of how to address the needs of different groups in order to improve cancer screening
- An overview of the emerging diagnostic tests for cancer
- Outline of potential alterations that can be made to existing screening programmes
