Early diagnosis of less survivable cancers could save 7,500 lives annually. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Less Survivable Cancers has released a pivotal report urging the UK Government to prioritise faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers, which include those of the brain, liver, lung, pancreas, oesophagus, and stomach. The report includes new analysis of existing data which shows that if early diagnosis was doubled across these six cancers, an additional 7,500 lives could be saved every year. [1]
In the UK, the current five-year survival rate for the six less survivable cancers is just 16%, and they account for 67,000 deaths every year – around 42% of all cancer deaths. As it stands, just 28% of less survivable cancers are diagnosed at stage one or two, compared to 54% of all cancers. [2][3]
The APPG has identified that faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers is critical for improving people’s access to treatment and ultimately their chance of survival. The APPG’s inquiry report, which includes expert testimonies and evidence submissions, has shown the barriers to early diagnosis including the fundamental challenge of detecting less survivable cancers early due to their often vague and non-specific symptoms, as well as systemic barriers such as slow routes to the tests needed for diagnosis, a lack of country-wide screening and surveillance programmes for people at highest risk, and the ongoing neglect of research into the less survivable cancers.
The report recommends 12 actions for Government to drive earlier and faster diagnosis for the less survivable cancers including investing in research and the implementation of detection tests and tools, supporting campaigns to raise awareness of the symptoms of less survivable cancers and appointing a named government lead to develop and coordinate a strategy to improve survival rates for the less survivable cancers in the UK.
Paulette Hamilton MP, Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on Less Survivable Cancers, said:
“Our inquiry has revealed that we are at a crucial moment for transforming patient outcomes and accelerating survival rates for the less survivable cancers. We’re on the brink of research breakthroughs and in the midst of developing potentially game-changing Government health reforms. In this backdrop, achieving faster diagnosis for these devastating cancers is finally within reach.”
Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, said:
“Late diagnosis costs lives, particularly in the case of less survivable cancers. Inaction is simply not an option. As a country we must invest in greater research and support innovative detection tests to ensure that every patient diagnosed with these aggressive diseases receives timely and equitable access to the best possible care.
“For too long, the less survivable cancers have been left behind. The National Cancer Plan and Rare Cancers Bill offer a real opportunity to tackle the systemic barriers affecting earlier and faster diagnosis and drive further progress for the less survivable cancers and we need to see the Government grasping this opportunity with both hands.”
[1] 7,500 figure was calculated by the Pancreatic Cancer UK Research Team following analysis of Get Data Out data from the National Cancer Registration Service (NDRS), focusing on one-year survival rates by cancer site and stage at diagnosis for the less survivable cancers (Liver, Lung, Oesophagus, Stomach, and Pancreas) in England during the 2018-2020 period. Early diagnosis was defined as stages 1 and 2 for the liver, lung, stomach, and pancreas cancers, and stages 1-3 for the oesophagus. The Research Team established survival rates for early and late diagnoses and estimated one-year survivors, exploring the potential impact of doubling early diagnosis rates on survival outcomes. The analysis presumes a constant total number of diagnoses. View the data tables here. See page 6 of the report.
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About the APPG report:
Read the full Inquiry into early detection and faster diagnosis report here.
To inform this report, the APPG held two oral evidence sessions in Parliament, in March and April 2025. The first session focused on the challenges facing earlier detection whilst the second explored next steps for innovating faster diagnosis. During these sessions, members heard from healthcare professionals, researchers and patients about what can be done to transform the diagnostic landscape. The APPG also issued a call for written evidence.
This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the group.
This report was researched by Pancreatic Cancer UK and funded by Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce.
About the APPG on Less Survivable Cancers:
The APPG on Less Survivable Cancers is a new cross-party parliamentary group, chaired by Paulette Hamilton MP. It was formed in January 2025 and launched its inquiry into earlier detection and faster diagnosis in March 2025.
The APPG is made up of more than 20 MPs and Peers who are passionate about tackling the issues affecting people with a less survivable cancer: brain, liver, lung, pancreatic, oesophageal, and stomach cancer. The group advocates for action to improve survival rates, as currently only 16% of people diagnosed survive five years.
The APPG on Less Survivable Cancers is calling for earlier and faster diagnosis, equitable access to the best treatments, and investment in vital research. The Group monitors government policies, provides evidence-based briefings to parliamentarians, and puts forward actions for the Government to take forward.
The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce:
The LSCT launched in 2017 and represents six less survivable cancers, lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach, with an average five year survival rate of 16% due to a legacy of neglect and underfunding. The data released today shows the average one year survival for these cancers is 42%.
The LSCT is a partnership of charities supporting patients who have these cancers including Action Against Heartburn, British Liver Trust, Pancreatic Cancer UK, The Brain Tumour Charity, Guts UK, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Tenovus Cancer Care. It is supported by: Pancreatic Cancer Action, OCHRE, Brainstrust, HCCUK, Heartburn Cancer UK, OG Cancer NI, Brain Tumour Research, Barrett’s Oesophagus
The LSCT aims to increase the survivability of less survivable cancers to 28% by 2029.
Visit www.lesssurvivablecancers.org.uk
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