England Records Over 1,000 Daily Cancer Diagnoses As Cases Hit All-Time High

Cancer diagnoses in England have reached a record high, with more than 373,000 people diagnosed in 2024, according to NHS figures.

The statistics show that an average of 1,021 people were diagnosed daily, compared with 972 per day in 2023. Prostate, bre@st, lung and bowel cancers accounted for half of all new cases.

Early detection also improved slightly, with 56.7% of new cancers identified at stages 1 and 2 in 2024, up from 55.8% the previous year.

However, experts warned that the NHS continues to fall short of its diagnosis and treatment targets. In August, 78.6% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer received a diagnosis or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, below the 80% target.

Only 71.9% of patients began treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or consultant upgrade, against the 85% target.

NHS national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, described the progress as encouraging, crediting healthcare workers and efforts to bring cancer tests closer to patients.

However, Cancer Research UK’s policy director, Dr Ian Walker, warned that too many patients were still being diagnosed at advanced stages and called for more government support, specialist staff and equipment.

Dr Hilary Williams of the Royal College of Physicians also highlighted ageing and obesity as factors contributing to rising cases, urging improved prevention and early detection.

Meanwhile, Macmillan Cancer Support warned that inequalities linked to people’s backgrounds and locations continued to affect diagnosis and survival chances.