Health Chiefs have doubled on spending on awareness campaigns for cancer, encouraging people to come forward if experiencing any worrying symptoms or if they have been invited. 

A new record has been made with 3 million referred checks over the last 12 months, referrals for suspected cancer were at 116% pre-pandemic levels with around 11,000 people getting checked every day over the last year. 

Despite the impact COVID-19 has had on the healthcare industry and hospitals, the number of people being treated for cancer remained higher than before the pandemic.  

Dame Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director for NHS England has said, “We are going further and faster than ever before in our ambitions to diagnose more cancers at an earlier stage so that we can save more lives.” 

Not only has there been an increase in spending on awareness campaigns but also expanding diagnostic capabilities. This includes one stop shops for tests, mobile clinics, and cancer symptoms hotlines.  

The improvements that are being made will give people better chances of beating the disease, as this encourages people to come forward for check-ups early.