Cancer patients in Bedford are amongst those who will receive faster diagnosis, quicker treatment, and support to live well with cancer under the national cancer plan, published on 4 February 2026.
Each year, around 40,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East of England. For the first time, the NHS will commit to ensuring three in four people diagnosed with cancer from 2035 onwards are cancer-free or living well after five years.
This equates to 320,000 more lives saved in England over the plan’s lifetime.
The plan
The national cancer plan outlines an expansion of robot-assisted surgery, which has already been bringing benefits to cancer patients across the East of England, along with faster diagnostics to reduce delays and a commitment to meet all cancer waiting time standards by 2029.
Major reforms across the NHS include:
- Robot-assisted surgery: From hip replacements to heart surgery and cancer operations, the number of robot-assisted procedures in England will increase from 70,000 to half a million by 2035, reducing complications and freeing up hospital beds.
- Faster diagnostics: A £2.3 billion investment will deliver 9.5 million additional tests across the country by 2029, including more scanners, digital technology, and automated testing. Where possible, Community Diagnostic Centres will operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week, bringing testing closer to where people live.
- Treatment at specialist centres: More patients with rarer cancers will have their care reviewed and treated at specialist cancer centres, where they can benefit from the expertise of the best cancer doctors. These centres bring together surgeons, oncologists, specialist nurses and radiologists to agree on the best treatment plan for each case.
- Genomic testing: Every patient who could benefit will be offered a test that analyses the DNA of their cancer. This helps doctors understand exactly the type of cancer someone has, and choose treatments most likely to work.
- Waiting lists: New technology is being developed to give patients better access to tests for cancer by offering them the earliest available appointment from a range of NHS organisations in their local area.
Where this is already happening
An increase in the number of robot-assisted procedures is a key part of the national cancer plan, and something patients in the East of England have been benefitting from for some time already.
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust has been pioneering same-day robotic prostate cancer surgery, helping to improve patient recovery, and last year introduced same-day robotic prostatectomies.
Anthony Baptist was the Trust’s first patient to have his prostate removed and go home on the same day of his surgery, with the use of a surgical robot at Colchester Hospital.
Anthony, 56, said he was ‘relieved’ and grateful to start his recovery in the comfort of his own home, instead of the hospital.
He added, “I’m delighted and grateful for everything that took place. There were some side effects, but after a couple of months, things had gone back to normal.
“I have been remarkably well, sometimes I almost forget the surgery happened. The peace of mind it’s given me is immeasurable.”
Although not suitable for everyone, the day case option supports faster recoveries, less pain, reduced length of hospital stays, an earlier return to normal function and work, and improved patient experience.
Looking forward
The national cancer plan commits to meeting all three national cancer waiting time standards by March 2029, meaning hundreds of thousands more patients across the country will receive timely treatment.
The government has also announced a new AI pilot to help detect hard-to-reach lung cancers sooner with fewer invasive tests as well as a new employer partnership to support England’s 830,000 working-age cancer patients to remain in employment during and after treatment.
The cancer plan comes as progress on cancer waiting lists continues, diagnosing or ruling out cancer on time for 213,000 extra cases since July last year, and with 170 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) now open across the country. Bringing checks, scans and tests closer to where people live.
Amanda Pleavin, Managing Director of NHS East of England Cancer Alliance, said: “Almost everyone will know someone who has been affected by cancer, a friend, a partner, a parent or a child, and for many people it will be part of their own story too.
“This plan sets a clear roadmap for the NHS to diagnose more cancers earlier, ensure more patients are treated on time and improve survival, so that more people live longer, healthier lives with or after cancer over the next decade.
“This is alongside delivering the latest breakthroughs in cancer treatment and care, improving access to pioneering trials and ensuring there is wraparound support for people closer to home.”
