26 Jan 2026 Policy

The latest developments and our response

The government is set to launch the National Cancer Plan for England on 4th February. We are urging policymakers to ensure it delivers meaningful change specifically for people with leukaemia.

26/01/2026

Latest update:

In the lead up to World Cancer Day, the NHS has developed a world-first genetic register to collect patient data on more than 100 genes linked to elevated cancer risk, intending to accelerate screening and testing pathways and expand access to personalised treatments and clinical trials.

Our response:

“We welcome the Government’s announcement to initiate a programme for inherited cancers, particularly its focus on improving identification of inherited risk in solid tumours. This is an important step forward for patients and families.

As this programme develops, it must be extended to include non-stageable cancers, such as blood cancers. For conditions like familial Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) — which affects around 5% of AML patients — inherited risk is not routinely identified or monitored in England.

Ensuring access to genetic testing, counselling and targeted surveillance for these families could enable earlier diagnosis and save lives.

People affected by non-stageable cancers must be included.”

Georgia Papacleovoulou, Head of Policy & Advocacy

Read more about the world’s first genetic programme.