11 Feb 2026 Policy

The National Cancer Plan: what does it mean for people with leukaemia?

The Government’s new National Cancer Plan for England, which launched on World Cancer Day 2026, marks the most significant progress in policy for leukaemia and other blood cancers in more than a decade. For the first time, leukaemia is meaningfully embedded throughout a national cancer strategy, with commitments that could transform diagnosis, treatment, and support for people with leukaemia.

This milestone achievement belongs to everyone affected by leukaemia who shared their experiences, wrote to Cancer Ministers and MPs, or backed our campaigns for change. It is also the result of persistent work by Leukaemia UK to ensure that leukaemia is not overlooked; we have spent years engaging directly with Ministers, Department of Health and Social Care officials, national clinical directors and NHS leaders to make our voices heard.

Below is an overview of what the Plan promises for people with leukaemia and what we must do next to ensure these commitments are delivered.

A plan to boost survival and quality of life

The Plan sets a major ambition: by 2035, three quarters of people diagnosed with cancer should be cancer free or living well five years after diagnosis. For people with leukaemia, especially those with aggressive types like acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), where five-year survival remains low, this focus is vital.

The Government has also recommitted to meeting all NHS cancer waiting time standards by 2029, including ensuring a diagnosis within 28 days of referral, which has not been consistently met for leukaemia.

The plan recognises that improving outcomes in rare and less common cancers, such as leukaemia, is fundamental to achieving its goals; and it is great to see that a National Lead for Rare Cancers will be appointed to help ensure the Plan genuinely delivers for these cancers.

How the plan aims to reach these targets

A specific metric to track progress on leukaemia early diagnosis

More than a third of people with leukaemia are diagnosed in emergency settings, higher than the average for other cancers and a pattern associated with poorer outcomes. Our research has shown that one in four people experience avoidable delays in diagnosis, often because simple tests that can indicate or rule out leukaemia, such as a Full Blood Count (FBC), were not offered early enough.

The National Cancer Plan introduces a new early diagnosis metric specifically for cancers that cannot be staged, such as leukaemia, by tracking and reducing emergency diagnosis. This is a big policy win the leukaemia and blood cancer community has campaigned for over many years, ensuring blood cancers are finally included in early diagnosis policy and not left out of national targets.

Improved access to genomics and monitoring for inherited cancer risk

Patients will be offered genomic testing in a clinically relevant time frame to ensure they can access personalised life-changing treatment at the earliest point. Also, the new National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Registry, which monitors around 120 cancer-related genes, will support targeted prevention. The latter creates new opportunities for those at risk for familial AML, representing around 5% of AML cases, to receive consistent monitoring and earlier detection.

Improved research infrastructure and increased access to clinical trials

The plan includes increased investment in research into rare and less common cancers and increased participation in clinical trials through implementation of the Rare Cancers Bill that we have proudly supported. This aligns with our longstanding calls to ensure new, kinder, more effective treatments for people with leukaemia and access to these no matter where they live.

Better patient-centred care and long-term support

The plan places strong emphasis on patient-centred care from the point of diagnosis, throughout treatment and living with and beyond leukaemia, including:

• Personalised Needs Assessment at diagnosis
• Personal Cancer Plan covering treatment, wellbeing and overall support
• Named Neighbourhood Care Lead to support life beyond hospital

For people with leukaemia who often face intensive treatment, long term side effects, heightened infection risk and sustained emotional and practical challenges, this shift towards personalised care is essential and aligned with our recommendations.

What we now need to ensure the plan truly delivers for leukaemia

The National Cancer Plan contains major wins for the leukaemia community, but real change depends on delivery, not just commitments.

Delivery depends on partnership and charities, like Leukaemia UK, must be at the table. We will:

• Continue engaging directly with policy makers, at national and regional level, holding decision‑makers to account for progress, transparency and equity
• Support implementation through evidence, patient insight, clinical engagement and policy expertise

Your support has already helped secure critical wins. As we enter the delivery phase, your voice will be just as important to ensuring every promise in this plan translates into real, tangible change for people living with and beyond leukaemia – now and in the future.