Our response to the National Cancer Plan consultation

The National Cancer Plan

Earlier this year on World Cancer Day, the government announced its plans to develop a National Cancer Plan. This was a welcome development, following lengthy campaigns for a national plan by many cancer charities including Solving Kids’ Cancer UK. Once developed, the plan will be used to steer and inform how to government addresses cancer in the UK and will be implemented alongside the 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS, which is also under development.

As with many national plans and strategies, part of the development process is to gather thoughts and insights from different groups, including the public, healthcare professionals and organisations like ours. For the National Cancer Plan, this begun with a call for evidence where the government asked for views on key areas related to cancer including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, support, research and innovation, and inequalities.

Alongside announcing the Cancer Plan, the government also relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce. The Taskforce was first established in 2024 under the previous government and has been reviewed and relaunched by the new government following the summer election. The group is made up of experts in children’s and young people’s cancers, supported by charity and patient subgroups – Solving Kids’ Cancer is a member of the charity subgroup. The Taskforce will be responsible for shaping a section of the cancer plan for children and young people and will review the relevant responses to the consultation.

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Why did we respond?

Too often, childhood cancer is overlooked in national health and cancer policies. Children are not simply small adults – their cancers are biologically different, their treatment journeys more complex, and their support needs far broader. This plan, and the relaunch of the Taskforce presents a real opportunity to change that, and we’re determined to make sure it does.

Here’s a breakdown of the key messages from our response – and what we’re asking for to better serve children and families affected by cancer.

Children’s cancers can’t be prevented the same way adult cancers can

Unlike adult cancers, which are often linked to lifestyle factors like smoking or diet, childhood cancers have no known preventable causes. That means traditional public health approaches don’t apply.

We want to see:

Investment in cutting-edge scientific research to better understand what causes childhood cancer – especially its genetic and biological roots.
A fully funded and nationally consistent Whole Genome Sequencing programme to improve current offerings, with data fed into research that helps unlock better prevention and treatment strategies.

Excluding children from prevention policy isn’t just ineffective – it deepens inequality. Every child deserves to benefit from innovation.

Early diagnosis is often delayed – and this must change

Too many families face unnecessary delays in getting a diagnosis. The symptoms of childhood cancer can look like common childhood illnesses – but when parents raise concerns, they are often dismissed.

We’re calling for:

National rollout of awareness materials like those created by the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, which help parents and healthcare professionals recognise early warning signs.
Training for GPs and frontline staff to ensure childhood cancer is always considered as a possibility.
A review of referral pathways so children with persistent or concerning symptoms are seen quickly by specialists.

We also believe families' lived experiences should help shape policies. When systems fail, it’s families who spot the gaps first. Listening to them is essential.

Children need better access to treatment and clinical trials

Treatments for childhood cancer are often outdated, harsh, and limited in number – especially for rarer cancers. What’s more, access to clinical trials (which can be a child’s only option) depends too much on where they live or how much capacity a hospital has.

We’re asking for:

Increased investment in workforce and infrastructure so treatment centres can offer more timely and consistent care.
Improvements to how clinical trials are set up and run – something we’re tackling directly through our IMPACCT initiative, which brings experts together to remove the barriers that slow trial delivery.
Better communication with families throughout treatment, including standardised information and referrals to financial, emotional, and psychological support.
Wider access to genomic testing, not just at diagnosis but throughout the treatment journey, to guide personalised care.

Every child should have access to the best care possible – no matter their postcode or diagnosis.

Support must extend beyond the hospital walls

Cancer affects every part of a family’s life. Parents often stop working to care for their child. Siblings may feel scared or left out. The emotional toll is enormous – and it doesn’t end when treatment does.

We want to see:

A national framework for holistic, family-centred support, from counselling to practical help like respite care and peer support.
Consistent post-treatment services, recognising that many children face long-term health and developmental challenges after cancer.
Backing for proposals like Hugh’s Law, which would fast-track financial support for parents of seriously ill children – a simple change that would relieve huge pressure.
Better integration between the NHS and charities, which already deliver vital support services, but often do so with limited funding and without formal referral pathways.

Families shouldn’t have to fight for support. It should be part of the system.

Research and innovation are underfunded – and that’s holding us back

Children’s cancer research in the UK is largely funded by charities – which means it’s often under-resourced, uncoordinated, and vulnerable to funding gaps. That’s unacceptable when you consider how critical research is to improving survival and reducing side effects.

We’re calling for:

Sustainable government investment in paediatric cancer research and clinical trial infrastructure.
A streamlined approval process for paediatric trials – the current bureaucracy causes damaging delays.
National targets to improve trial access and delivery, particularly for early-phase trials where options are most limited.
Support for international collaboration, so UK researchers can participate in global studies that benefit children everywhere.

Our IMPACCT initiative is already working on solutions – but we need the government to commit long-term.

We must tackle inequality head-on

Right now, access to the best care depends too much on where you live and how much money you have. That’s not just unfair – it affects outcomes.

We’re asking the government to:

Fund more equitable access to clinical trials, including support for families who need to travel.
Invest in better data collection and research into how socioeconomic factors affect children’s outcomes.
Commit to financial support programmes like the Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund, to help families manage the costs of travelling for specialist care.

Every child should have the same chance – no matter where they live or what their circumstances are.

What happens next?

We’re hopeful about the recently formed Children and Young People’s Cancer Taskforce, which is now helping shape the National Cancer Plan. But this Taskforce must be empowered to go further – monitoring progress, coordinating improvements, and making sure children stay at the centre of cancer policy.

At Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, we’ll continue to advocate fiercely for children and families, and you can help too. By sharing your experiences, raising awareness, or donating to our work, you’re helping make sure children’s voices are heard loud and clear.

Let’s make this plan count – for every child, every family, everywhere.