Home / Health / Cancer Diagnoses Hit Record High in England
Cancer Diagnoses Hit Record High in England
5 Nov
Summary
- Over 1,000 new cancer cases diagnosed daily on average in England.
- Geographic location significantly impacts cancer risk and survival rates.
- New treatments and early detection efforts are ongoing across the NHS.
In 2024, England recorded a new record of 373,574 cancer diagnoses, excluding common skin cancers. This averages over 1,000 new cases daily, an increase of 11,833 from 2023. When all cancer types, including common skin cancers, are considered, the total diagnosed reached 616,404.
Despite these rising numbers, the charity Macmillan highlights that a person's location still significantly affects their risk and survival chances. NHS England reports that staff are working diligently to achieve daily diagnoses for 1,000 individuals for the first time.
Professor Peter Johnson of NHS England encourages participation in screening programmes and prompt GP visits for any worrying symptoms. Monthly figures show 78.6% of urgent referrals led to a diagnosis or exclusion within 28 days in August, slightly below the 80% target.
Efforts are also focused on specific groups, with CoppaFeel! advocating for better identification of younger women with breast cancer. Data indicates one in six women diagnosed are under 50, underscoring the need to address the perception of breast cancer as solely an older person's disease.
