The earlier cancer is detected, the lower the risk of it spreading and the higher the chance of a person surviving the disease. Key ways of bringing about earlier diagnosis include encouraging people to respond promptly to symptoms, empowering health professionals to be alert to signs of cancer, speeding up referral and testing, and investing in research and innovation.
Scientific advances over the past 50 years have played a key role in improving cancer survival. That’s why Cancer Research UK has spent £415m on research in 2022-23, including funding many scientists who are investigating innovative approaches to early detection and diagnosis. Their vital work, some of it explored in this article, is only possible thanks to Cancer Research UK’s supporters.
