Scotland could save around 10,100 lives and Wales could save around 5,500 with urgent, focused action against cancer, according to our latest analysis. 

The projections are part of our Longer, better lives manifestos for Scotland and Wales, which set out our evidence-based recommendations for how both nations can improve cancer outcomes.

The two manifestos are tailored to the specific needs of each nation, but they share the same ambition – to reduce cancer death rates by 15% by 2040.

We’re publishing them today ahead of the upcoming elections. We want all political parties across Scotland and Wales to commit to making cancer a top priority, and this is the first step to making sure the incoming governments implement our recommendations.

“With next year’s elections comes the opportunity to transform the NHS in Scotland and Wales by tackling waiting times, introducing innovative reforms and investing in staff and equipment,” said Michelle Mitchell, our chief executive. 

“Urgent action on cancer means more life-saving research, earlier diagnoses and treatments, taking measures to prevent cancer, and ultimately, more people living longer, better lives.” 

Our manifesto for Scotland

We want the Scottish Government to make a national commitment to reduce the cancer death rate by 15% by 2040, which would prevent around 10,100 cancer deaths in the next 15 years.  

To achieve this, the Scottish Government needs to: 

1. 1. Fund and deliver the nation’s 10-year cancer strategy and meet cancer waiting times targets
   2. Strengthen NHS capacity and innovation to meet patient need 
   3. Combat lung cancer – the biggest cancer killer in Scotland and a major driver of cancer inequalities by: 
      • implementing and enforcing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
      • making sure stop smoking services are available to all 
      • committing to and rolling out a national lung cancer screening programme, which should include a smoking cessation service 
   4. Create a world-leading cancer research environment by supporting and investing in cancer research – including by supporting the Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities proposal to deliver a Scottish Health and Biomedicine Institute

Read the full manifesto for cancer research and care in Scotland.

Our manifesto for Wales

We want the Welsh Government to make a national commitment to reduce the cancer death rate in Wales by 15% by 2040, which would prevent around 5,500 cancer deaths in the next 15 years. 

To achieve this, the Welsh Government needs to: 

1. 1. Develop, fund and deliver a long-term cancer strategy to improve cancer outcomes and meet cancer waiting times targets 
   2. Support the NHS to deliver cancer services for everyone, both now and in the future 
   3. Combat lung cancer – the biggest cancer killer in Wales by:
      • implementing and enforcing the age of sale legislation through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
      • making sure stop smoking services (Help Me Quit) are sufficiently and consistently funded, and that access is equitable
      • fully implementing a national lung screening programme by 2033 – with smoking cessation services included.
   4. Strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem to enable research to flourish and get innovations to patients faster

Read the full manifesto for cancer research and care in Wales.

Shaumya’s story

Campaigners are gathering at the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd today to mark the publication of the manifestos and highlight the need to do more to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in both nations.  

One of those campaigners is Shaumya Kularajan, a PhD student from the University of Glasgow.

Shaumya, who is training to be a doctor, was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer known as Hodgkin lymphoma in June 2020. She is now in remission and is urging all political parties to put cancer at the heart of their election pledges.    

“When you hear the words, ‘It’s cancer’, all you want to know is you or your loved one have the best possible chance of surviving,” said Shaumya. 

“It felt like my whole world was collapsing around me when I was first told the news. Everything I thought I knew about my life at that point changed and I had so much uncertainty ahead. But I remember very early on a nurse saying to me, ‘You have cancer but it doesn’t have you.’ I knew I faced a long road but there would come a time when I could finally move on with my life and put treatment behind me.  

“I’d like to see a future where people feel hope even as they leave that first diagnosis meeting. We need to work towards a society where everyone receives swift and effective treatment for cancer.  

“Cancer is the defining health issue of our time and it doesn’t discriminate. So many people’s lives are touched by this disease, and the numbers are only growing. It’s vital that saving lives comes before politics. 

“That’s why I’m supporting this campaign – I’m determined to help others and spare them from unnecessary heartache.”