Health is wealth: tackling cancer to grow the economy

Why do we need economics to focus on cancer?  

When we talk about economic growth, we often think about new technology, infrastructure or investment. But one of the most powerful drivers of prosperity is often overlooked: health. A healthier population doesn’t just mean happier and more fulfilled lives, it also helps the economy thrive, which is why it should be at the centre of the political agenda.  

Economics shows us the benefits of making changes and the costs of standing still. It gives us the tools to look at how to get the best results for our money and show that protecting people’s health isn’t a cost, it’s an investment. By demonstrating the economic impact of cancer, we can help policymakers see that health and the economy are interlinked – and that saving lives pays off, not just in moral terms, but economic terms too.  

Our calls to government

1. Introduce preventative measures to tackle the causes of cancer 

The best way to limit the impact of cancer is to stop the disease before it starts. Government action to tackle key cancer risk factors – especially smoking and obesity – can reduce avoidable illness, support economic growth and reduce pressure on the NHS.  

2. Improve early diagnosis  

We know that early diagnosis is one of the most effective ways to increase cancer survival and give people more years of productive life. In some cases, cancers detected at an earlier stage also cost less for the health service to treat. 

To reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer at a later stage (stage 3 and 4), governments and health systems will need to roll out and optimise evidence-based cancer screening programmes, increase the capacity of the diagnostic workforce and lay the groundwork for future innovations in cancer detection and diagnosis. 

3. Increase investment and support for research  

Research connects every aspect of the effort to lessen the burden of cancer. It’s key to improving how we prevent, diagnose and treat the disease, and, in doing so, it brings significant economic benefits. In the long-term, investing in research may have the biggest impact of all. 

4. Promote better access, linkage and use of data  

There’s also an urgent need to leverage data to help power research. While the UK collects extensive and high-quality patient data, researchers often face difficulties accessing and effectively utilising the datasets they need to uncover new insights about how to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. 

If delivered effectively, with a relentless focus on the needs and concerns of researchers, patients and the wider public, the Government’s recently announced £600m investment in a Health Data Research Service could be a big step in the right direction.

5. Prioritise collaboration and partnership  

Finally, the Government will need to work with the right partners to fill key knowledge gaps around the cost of cancer.  

This will require collaborative, multi-disciplinary research supported by greater investment to bring together data within and beyond the health system and focus in on patient-experienced costs and variation between patient groups. This is crucial for guiding effective policy and ensuring public funding achieves the greatest possible impact.