By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Cancer diagnoses in England have surpassed 1,000 per day for the first time, with 373,574 new cases recorded in 2024, an increase of 11,833 over the previous year. Despite the rise in detection, the NHS continues to fall short of key diagnosis and treatment targets, prompting warnings from leading cancer charities.
Record diagnoses
Data published by NHS England on Thursday showed an average of 1,021 new cancer diagnoses each day in 2024. Prostate cancer remained the most common, with 61,115 diagnoses, a 4.1 per cent increase, accounting for roughly 167 cases daily.
Missed targets
The NHS has not met its target of diagnosing or ruling out cancer within 28 days of an urgent referral for 80 per cent of patients since 2015. In August 2026, only 78.6 per cent were seen within that window. The goal for 85 per cent of patients to start first treatment within 62 days of diagnosis has also been missed every year since 2015; in July 2026 the figure stood at 71.9 per cent.
Charity warnings
Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, said too many patients are still diagnosed at a late stage and urged the government to maintain momentum on its national cancer plan for England. Steven McIntosh, chief partnerships officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, highlighted persistent health inequalities that affect likelihood of diagnosis, speed of diagnosis, and survival chances.
NHS response
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said the figures show the health service is moving in the right direction, with staff diagnosing 1,000 people a day for the first time. He pointed to community-based testing, new treatments, and screening programmes as ongoing efforts to improve early detection and treatment.
