Government sets out new targets for faster cancer diagnoses

The government has outlined a number of new goals that aim to ensure suspected cancer patients are diagnosed and treated faster and more effectively.

From 2020, people with suspected cancer will be diagnosed within 28 days of being referred by a GP – a change that is expected to help save up to 11,000 lives a year by making sure the disease is caught earlier.

Efforts will also be made to help personalise people's treatment and care, including ensuring around 20,000 additional people a year have their cancers genetically tested to identify the most effective treatments.

By 2020, patients will be able to access online information about their treatment and tests results, with physical activity programmes and psychological support also set to be made more widely available.

The government has committed to spend up to 300 million pounds more on diagnostics every year over the next five years to help meet the new 28-day target.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "For people who are worried they may have cancer, waiting for that all-important test result is a nerve-wracking time. We have a duty to make sure this period of uncertainty is as short as possible."