Expert team to drive improvements in cancer care

The British government established a new National Cancer Board, which held its first meeting on 21 September 2026. The board will oversee progress on more than 100 commitments in the National Cancer Plan, including early diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for patients. The board has dedicated expert leads for rare cancers including brain tumours, children and young people with cancer, and inequalities in cancer care. The government reports that all three cancer care standards have improved compared to the year before the election, and approximately 250,000 more people were diagnosed on time or had cancer ruled out. The board will meet quarterly and publish annual progress reports. The National Cancer Plan from February 2026 set a goal that by 2035, three out of four people diagnosed with cancer will be cancer-free or living well five years after diagnosis.