March 2024
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This conference focused on next steps for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in England.
It was an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss priorities for tackling the backlog in cancer services following the Elective recovery taskforce: implementation plan published in August 2023.
Delegates considered the way forward for improving cancer screening and diagnosis, including the work of cancer alliances in helping meet patient demand, as well as enhancing healthcare infrastructure and building resilience in the cancer workforce.
Those attending also assessed priorities for improving patient outcomes, looking at best practice and next steps for personalised and informed approaches to treatment, prevention and screening, following the results of the 10-Year Cancer Plan call for evidence, and as the Major Conditions Strategy is developed.
Further sessions examined the future outlook for improving patient access to treatments and latest technology including AI, and making the UK an attractive testbed for innovative cancer research and treatments following the Cancer Healthcare Mission launched from the Life Sciences Vision.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Dr Colin Wilson, Deputy Director, Office for Life Sciences; Professor Richard Sullivan, Director, Institute for Cancer Policy, King’s College London; Dr Tom Roques, Vice President, Clinical Oncology, The Royal College of Radiologists; and Professor Stephen Duffy, Professor for Cancer Screening, Wolfson Institute of Population Health.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- 10-Year Cancer Plan: assessing findings from the call for evidence - impact of rolling the long-term plan into the Major Conditions Strategy
- Tackling the backlog in England: options for increasing capacity, such as partnerships - infrastructure for cancer services - development of prevention strategies
- Screening and early diagnosis: investment in the cancer workforce and its growth - improving effectiveness of screening services - support for clinical research - next steps for genomic sequencing
- Improving patient outcomes: integrating pre-treatment services to treatment providers - working with ICSs to meet local need - the role of cancer alliances - access to mental health support
- Maximising research impact: the Cancer Healthcare Mission - rolling out new models of care - implementation of innovative technology - improving data on rehabilitation services
- Access to innovative treatments: addressing affordability - regulatory challenges - the impact of inequalities on cancer treatment - making the UK a testbed for innovation care and clinical trials
- Personalised care: assessing developments around patient-centred care - utilising data and the role of digital technology and AI - improving patient access to innovative cancer treatments
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from MHRA; UK NSC; DHSC; CQC; OLS; UKHSA; DBT; FSA; HMPPS; HM Treasury; ONS; and Audit Wales; as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords.
