The UK’s challenge for precision medicine: The case for cancer vaccines

Public Policy Projects

This programme build on the goals and strategies of the NHS Long Term Plan, the Life Sciences Vision,
and the National Genomics Strategy to discuss the implementation of policies that support the
prevention and survival of cancer across the UK. The NHS Long Term Plan set out ambitious targets,
that the NHS must strive to reach by 2028. These targets aim for 55,000 more people each year to
survive their cancer for five years or more, and for 75 per cent of people with cancer to be diagnosed
at an early stage (stage one or two). Achieving these goals in a healthcare system that is struggling
with workforce shortages requires innovative solutions that pertain to the following themes:

• Prevention and screening
• Inequalities
• Precision medicine
• Technology and data
• Specific pathways and treatment
• Workforce
  By gathering industry experts from across the public and private sectors, academics, researchers,
  policy professionals and other key stakeholders, PPP aims to contribute delivery-specific insights
  regarding these themes over the course of this programme. This paper is based off the findings of a
  roundtable chaired by Dr Lennard Lee and Dr Joanne Hackett, sponsored by IQVIA.

Read the Report – The UK’s challenge for precision medicine: The case for cancer vaccines

A journey through the cancer pathway – A road to longer, better lives

Cancer Research UK

A journey through the cancer pathway – A road to longer, better lives

2023 roundup: 5 of our most important cancer research stories of the year – Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK – 18th December 2023

to end the year, we want to highlight just a few of our most exciting research stories of the year

• Targeting brain tumours
• Shedding new light on lung cancer evolution 
• Improving immunotherapies
• Revolutionising cervical cancer treatment 
• Revealing progress in breast cancer

Further information – 5 of our most important cancer research stories of the year

Human Papillomavirus (HPV), cervical screening and cervical cancer – RCN

RCN – 18th December 2023

This updated edition includes guidance for registered nurses working in a range of health care settings, in particular those involved in women’s health, cervical screening, and public health.
It focuses on an overview of HPV (including the current vaccination recommendations), the national cervical screening programme, information about colposcopy and key facts on cervical cancer.
This publication replaces the previous version 007 960.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV), cervical screening and cervical cancer

I Just Want To Be Me – Trans and Gender Diverse Communities’ Access to and Experiences of Palliative & End of Life Care

Hospice UK; 2023.

Trans and gender-diverse people frequently experience inequitable access to health and care services, and the same is true for care at the end of life.

This report uses real-world experience to highlight the needs of these communities, and sets out recommendations for what hospices and palliative care professionals can do to make end of life care more equitable and accessible for everyone.

Read the Report – I Just Want To Be Me

Palliative and end of life care in Integrated Care Systems – Exploring how Integrated Care Systems are responding to the Health and Care Act 2022

Marie Curie – Nov 2023

At Marie Curie, we were very encouraged by the inclusion in the Health and Care Act 2022 of a statutory duty for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to commission palliative and end of life care services that meet the needs of their populations. We understand the immense pressures on the health and care system at the present time and want to work closely with ICBs across the country to understand the support they need to act on this new duty – one which we believe has the potential to reduce pressures on the wider system, in addition to improving end of life experience for all. This is why we wrote to ICBs recently and asked them about their work on palliative and end of life care for adults. The survey findings provide a timely insight into how systems are responding to the new legal duty and the opportunities and barriers they are experiencing when seeking to meet this duty.

Read the Report – Palliative and end of life care in Integrated Care Systems – Exploring how Integrated Care Systems are responding to the Health and Care Act 2022

Annual Report and Accounts 2022/ 2023 – Marie Curie

Marie Curie – 2023

Find out what we’re doing to ensure everyone can have a better end of life, whatever their illness.

Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23

The future of cancer care in the UK-time for a radical and sustainable National Cancer Plan

Lancet Oncol. Published online November 14, 2023

Cancer care in the UK is in crisis and in need of an ambitious reset to deliver the world-class service patients deserve. In response, The Lancet Oncology proposes a ten-point plan towards establishing a blueprint for a radical and sustainable UK cancer plan.

Explore key findings and recommendations from the policy review in the infographic below, or read the full report for full details.

Further details – The future of cancer care in the UK

Mortality from leading cancers in districts of England from 2002 to 2019: a population-based, spatiotemporal study

The Lancet – 11th December 2023

In an analysis of mortality rates for 10 forms of cancer with the largest death toll for men and women, researchers found the risk of dying from cancer varies widely depending on which district in England patients live.

The findings, published in The Lancet Oncology, show that while at the national level the risk of dying from cancer before 80 years of age declined from 2002-2019 for both men and women, the highest risks were in northern cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, Hull and Newcastle, and in coastal areas to the east of London.

The risk for women dying from cancer before 80 years of age ranged from one in ten in Westminster to one in six in Manchester, while for men the risk ranged from one in eight in Harrow (Greater London) to one in five in Manchester.

Mortality risk was associated with poverty for both sexes, and the greatest inequality across regions was for cancers with risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and obesity, and for those which could be prevented or detected early by screening.

Read the article – ‘Mortality from leading cancers in districts of England from 2002 to 2019: a population-based, spatiotemporal study’

‘I love the NHS, but…’: preventing needless harms caused by poor communications in the NHS

Demos – November 2023

This report makes a case for the urgent need to improve communication within the NHS. It found that more than half (55%) of people have experienced poor communications from the NHS in the past five years, and 1 in 10 say their care has been affected as a result. Demos calls on the government for: an expansion of the system of care co-ordinators; an expansion of the system of care navigators in GP surgeries; and improvements to the uptake and use of the NHS app.

Read the Report – ‘I love the NHS, but…’: preventing needless harms caused by poor communications in the NHS