England's National Cancer Plan 2026 sets out an ambitious agenda to improve cancer outcomes through earlier diagnosis, personalized care and faster access to the most innovative treatments. The plan presents cancer services as a national platform for research, innovation and commercial growth, with improving health outcomes almost a secondary purpose. It is the latest in a long series of plans aimed at improving cancer care. None of the previous plans have successfully shifted England's position as a survival laggard compared to comparable countries, or reduced deep socio-economic inequalities. This one differs from the previous plans by the coherence of its commercial focus. The plan says the current model of cancer care is often slow.