It has been an extremely busy time in the cancer policy space, with important new developments that could transform the future of cancer care.
The new National Cancer Plan was published back in February, and we remain hopeful that its ambition, and recognition of the specific challenges of more complex conditions, will lead to real improvements for people affected by lymphoma.
The Rare Cancers Act has also been passed and is now law. Rare and less common cancers are defined as cancers that generally affect fewer than 6 in 100,000 people annually. This covers all cancers apart from the "big 4" (lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate). The new law means that research into less common cancers will be increased, along with clinical trials for new treatments. Faster, better routes to connect patients to trials for cancers including lymphoma will be introduced, which is excellent news.
With so much still needed to deliver on these Government commitments, we have launched our new Policy Priorities document, which outlines how we plan to influence decision-makers to improve lymphoma treatment and care. Our policy priorities include:
1. working to improve diagnosis and reduce emergency presentations
2. advocating for better treatment and care
3. empowering our community to be partners in their own care
4. asking decision makers to focus on long-term quality of life
There are lots of opportunities to improve how people with lymphoma are diagnosed, treated and cared for. Our role is to represent our lymphoma community to the best of our abilities so that no opportunity is missed and that every donation we receive from our community is translated into better outcomes for everyone affected by lymphoma.
We are already working towards achieving these goals, including supporting the NHS with the roll out of the National Cancer Plan by offering our expertise and in-depth understanding of the patient experience of lymphoma. Our future policy projects include:
- Continuing to work with other blood cancer charities to improve how GPs refer to specialists. This comes following our work to establish a Best Practice Timed Pathway for lymphoma and other blood cancers, which is due to be published by NHS England in early summer 2026
- Pushing for improvements in drug appraisal and adoption processes that would avoid delays or barriers to patients receiving the best possible treatments for blood cancer
- Improving how we nominate and support patient experts to research projects and data initiatives, to make sure their voices are heard from setting priorities all the way through to project outcomes.
If you would like to know more about our policy work, or have any comments, please do get in touch by emailing Anna Grint, Public and Patient Affairs Officer.