With Scotland and Wales both choosing their next national government this year, we’re calling on all political parties across both nations to make the elections a true turning point for cancer.

We can’t wait any longer for things to change. Cancer is the leading cause of death in both Scotland and Wales and the pressure on the NHS in both nations is growing.

We’ve already laid out what’s needed to turn things around. Last September, our Longer, better lives manifestos showed how Scotland could save around 10,100 lives and Wales could save around 5,500 with urgent, focused action against cancer.

We want the 2026 Welsh Senedd and Scottish Parliament elections to mean more cancers are prevented, more people are diagnosed and treated earlier, and more life-saving research is put into practice.

Today, we’re launching our campaign to make sure that’s what happens.

What needs to change

In June 2019, Wales introduced a target for 75% of cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days. That target has never been met, and more than 20,000 people in Wales have been left waiting longer than they should as a result.

In Scotland, the target is 95%, and missing it has meant that 17,500 people have waited too long for treatment since 2020.

Behind those numbers are real people’s questions and fears. Waiting to start cancer treatment can be an incredibly worrying time. For many people on waiting lists, long days follow sleepless nights, each one deepening the anxiety that comes with suspecting you have a disease that could become harder to stop as time goes on.

Long waiting times reflect the fact the NHS in Wales and Scotland is understaffed, under-resourced and underfunded, an issue that touches on almost every aspect of cancer care.

Both nations also face rising cancer rates and unacceptable cancer inequalities. By 2040, the number of new cancer cases is projected to rise by 16% in Scotland and more than 10% in Wales. Cancer death rates are also 80% higher in Scotland and 48% higher in Wales in the areas of highest deprivation compared to the areas with the lowest deprivation. This has to change.

How can we make this election a turning point?

Our Longer, better lives manifestos for Scotland and Wales explain the changes needed to reduce cancer death rates by 15% by 2040. Together, they could save more than 15,000 lives across both nations, but only with strong leadership and sustained government investment and support. 

A strategy for the long term

In Wales, the new government will need to develop and invest in a long-term strategy building on the current three-year plan. This will act as a single road map for change and help build a health system equipped for rising demand, one with more staff, better data systems and access to more vital equipment.

Scotland’s current 10-year cancer strategy is ambitious, but it’s held back by a lack of funding. We need to see sustained investment, as well as a focus on long-term workforce planning to support the changing needs of the NHS and the Scottish population.

Meeting waiting times targets

As they work to support and strengthen the NHS, both incoming governments should also make sure they meet all cancer waiting times targets by the end of their term. Doing so will relieve the anxiety of thousands of people, and it will help ensure more patients get quicker access to the treatment they need when it’s more likely to be successful.

And waiting time targets are just one piece of the puzzle. They don’t tell us about the time leading up to someone’s diagnosis, how their diagnosis might have happened, how early their cancer was caught, or whether they received the optimal treatment. A Welsh cancer strategy would need to create targets in these areas too, while Scotland needs to commit funds to meeting the targets it has already set.

Preventing cancer and diagnosing it sooner

Prioritising prevention and early diagnosis will help save more lives while reducing the pressure on the health service.

That will be particularly important for tackling lung cancer, the biggest cancer killer in both Scotland and Wales. We’re calling on incoming governments to fully implement the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, give stop smoking services the support they need to reach everyone who could benefit, and roll out a targeted lung cancer screening programme across both nations.

Supporting cancer research

This election is also a chance for Scotland and Wales to become leaders in cancer research itself. By committing to support universities and research institutes, both nations can start bringing lifesaving and life-improving treatments to people faster.

We’ve laid out what’s needed. Now all political parties need to act.

With your support, we can put cancer in the spotlight this election, and make sure everyone in Scotland and Wales has more moments with the people they love.