Local improvements in early cancer detection support the ambitions of the National Cancer Plan
The NHS in Derby and Derbyshire has welcomed the National Cancer Plan, published today, which sets out how we will improve cancer treatment performance, survival rates, and quality of life for people living with cancer.
Already in Derbyshire, we have been speeding up cancer diagnosis and improving early detection through new diagnostic pathways, Community Diagnostic Centres, pioneering bowel cancer screening, and targeted awareness campaigns for harder‑to‑spot cancers.
At its core, the National Cancer Plan focuses on three big shifts:
- diagnosing cancer earlier and at greater scale
- restoring and sustaining performance against cancer standards
- delivering more personalised, people-centred care, including better support for those living with and beyond cancer.
Dr Dave Briggs, Executive Director of Outcomes (Medical) for NHS Derby and Derbyshire said: “The National Cancer Plan provides a clear direction for how we will continue to improve cancer outcomes over the coming years.
“Here in Derby and Derbyshire, we have already made significant progress in strengthening cancer care, and the national plan gives us a strong national framework to build on the improvements already made.”
The £29.9m Community Diagnostic Centre programme in Derby and Derbyshire has seen five new centres open in the last two years, and they are helping thousands of patients access the care they need faster, and closer to home.
People are already seeing improvements in cancer diagnosis thanks to a new initiative at Walton Hospital’s Community Diagnostic Centre urology department. Early data shows that 81% of people who are seen at the Community Diagnostic Centre get a cancer diagnosis, or are ruled out, within the 28 day standard, compared to 40% on the usual pathway.
A pioneering pilot at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton is playing an important role in advancing bowel cancer prevention and early detection by being the first site in England to pilot the FIT@80 approach.
This approach lowers the level at which a home bowel screening test is flagged for further investigation, meaning more people are sent for further checks sooner, leading to an increase in the numbers of cancers and pre-cancerous conditions detected earlier.
The work by the trust has directly informed NHS England’s national rollout.
Last year, the local NHS partnered with Heartburn Cancer UK, GP practices, and Pharmacies, to raise awareness of oesophageal cancer, an uncommon cancer with high mortality rates. The campaign targeted areas in Derby City South where late‑stage presentation is higher.
Local patient John Hatton, diagnosed with stage 3 oesophageal cancer at 54 despite having no major risk factors, joined his surgeon Mr Ahmed El‑Sharkawy on BBC East Midlands Today to encourage people to recognise persistent symptoms and seek help early.
Dr Jenny Pickard, Cancer Clinical Lead GP for Derby and Derbyshire ICB said: “Early diagnosis saves lives, and the progress we are already seeing in this area is encouraging.
“We work closely with health partners, Cancer Alliances, and Public Health o make sure people can get the tests, checks and support they need at the right time.
“Our aim is to diagnose people earlier, ensure more people can access tests quickly, and provide more personalised support for those living with and beyond cancer.
“This includes expanding initiatives for conditions like Barrett’s oesophagus, improving cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination uptake, and developing new ways to identify people at higher risk, such as through raised platelet counts in older adults.
“We know we have more work to do, and the National Cancer Plan gives us a good foundation to build on the great work already happening within Primary Care, hospitals, and in our neighbourhoods.”