London: The number of cancer cases in the United Kingdom has reached an all-time high, with more than 403,000 people now diagnosed each year, according to a new report. This equates to roughly one diagnosis every 80 seconds.
A report by Cancer Research UK attributes the rise largely to an ageing and expanding population. Since the early 1990s, cancer rates have increased by around 15 percent, with lifestyle factors such as obesity also contributing to the trend.
Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said that while cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s, progress has slowed in the past decade. Mitchell noted that the government’s recently introduced National Cancer Plan has the potential to significantly improve outcomes, but only if it translates into tangible benefits for patients.
The Cancer in the UK Report 2026 describes the National Cancer Plan for England as an important step toward enhancing cancer care, but stresses that sufficient funding and resources are essential to turn ambitions into real-world impact.
The charity has also raised concerns over early diagnosis, highlighting that just over half of cancer cases in the UK are detected at an early stage, a figure that has remained largely unchanged in recent years.
Tobacco and Vapes Bill
It recommends expanding lung screening programmes, which could help identify up to 7,800 additional cases annually if fully optimised across England. In addition, Cancer Research UK is urging stronger prevention measures, including effective implementation of the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will prohibit anyone born after 2008 from smoking.
The report also calls for increased investment in specialist staff and medical equipment to address treatment delays. In 2025, around 107,000 patients were waiting more than 62 days to begin cancer treatment.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated that a record number of diagnostic tests had been delivered over the past year, supported by an additional £26 billion in funding for the NHS. They added that the number of patients receiving timely diagnoses or all-clear results is now at its highest level in five years, though further improvements are still needed.
The spokesperson noted that the National Cancer Plan aims to ensure faster diagnoses, quicker treatment, and improved long-term support, with a target that by 2035, 75 percent of patients will be cancer-free or living well five years after diagnosis. The forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill is also expected to help reduce future cancer cases by preventing smoking among younger generations.
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