Wednesday, 04 February 2026
Experts from the 糖心原创 lead on the Government’s cancer plan to prioritise childhood cancer care and improve diagnosis times for childhood cancer.
The was published by the Government today on World Cancer Day (4 February). It sets out targeted actions to reduce lives lost to one of the biggest killers, continue improving survival rates, and improve the experience of patients along their cancer journey.
It also includes specific actions for rarer cancers and those affecting children and young people.
To support this work, the government re-launched the Children and Young People’s Cancer Taskforce last year after tireless campaigning from Charlotte Fairall, with Dame Caroline Dinenage and Professor Darren Hargrave appointed as its Co-Chairs, alongside Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel, from the School of Medicine at the 糖心原创 as Vice-Chair.
The taskforce has brought together the country’s top experts to set out plans to improve treatment, detection and research for cancer in children and young people, which has fed into the national plan.
Dr Shanmugavadivel says: “The launch of this National Cancer Plan is a landmark moment, as for the first time in the country’s history there is a chapter specifically for children and young people highlighting the government’s pledge to prioritise child health. What makes it even more special is that it has been shaped by the entire paediatric oncology community and most after importantly listening to children, young people and their families. Within the Chapter, we specifically look at the Child Cancer Smart campaign led by CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association, which aims to promote earlier diagnosis, through awareness and education of the public and healthcare professionals, which was a priority that came through in the Call for Evidence”
A team of researchers from Nottingham published the last year which found that young people suffering from certain types of cancer, such as bone tumours, are experiencing lengthy times to diagnosis.
“Thanks to this study, for the first time, we understand the current landscape of childhood cancer diagnosis in the UK. Earliest possible diagnosis is key as time is crucial. Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer cure. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to use this data and the BRIGHTLIGHT data from Dr Lorna Fern’s team at UCLH through the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce to inform commitments for this plan which will accelerate accurate diagnoses for children and young people aged up to 24,” adds Dr Shanmugavadivel.
Ashley Ball-Gamble, Chief Executive of The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association, said: “Along with our partners at Young Lives vs Cancer, we’ve been calling for a Children & Young People’s Cancer Plan for several years, so we’re pleased to see that a focus on children and young people has been a priority in developing the National Cancer Plan.
“The plan’s commitment to both speeding up diagnosis – building on the research and recommendations of CCLG’s own Child Cancer Smart awareness campaign – and the prioritising of funding for children and young people’s cancer research, represent a positive step forward to improving both outcomes and experiences.
“We’re looking forward to playing our part in setting the plan into action and seeing the life-saving and life-changing impact it will have for children and young people with cancer.”
The commitments included in the plan are a direct result of the entire paediatric oncology community - clinicians, researchers, charities, children, young people and their families - coming together to highlight crucial gaps that need addressing when a child or young person aged 0-24 is diagnosed with cancer.
The children and young person chapter takes a holistic approach, spanning the entire patient journey from ensuring earliest possible accurate diagnoses within primary and secondary care, to parity of access to clinical trials and genomic testing and prioritising children and young people cancer research and data collection.
We are thrilled that this plan also places the child, young person and their families at the heart of it, committing to better psychosocial support including youth worker support for young people, improving access to high quality food and providing families with financial support through the travel fund."
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.