APPG on Less Survivable Cancers: Proposed Work Programme 2025/26 - Mini-Inquiry into Earlier Detection and Faster Diagnosis

Objectives

The mini-inquiry aims to improve survival, treatment and care for people with less survivable cancers by identifying barriers to earlier detection and faster diagnosis, developing practical recommendations, and increasing parliamentary attention to these cancers as priorities for the 10-year Health Plan and National Cancer Strategy.[1]

• Examine how earlier detection and quicker diagnosis could improve outcomes for less survivable cancers.[1]
• Enable parliamentarians to hear evidence from experts, healthcare professionals, patients and public officials.[1]
• Develop recommendations intended to address identified obstacles to diagnosis, treatment and care.[1]
• Raise the profile of less survivable cancers in Parliament and influence national health and cancer-policy priorities.[1]
• Address screening, referral pathways and surveillance of people at high risk of cancer.[1]
• Consider innovative diagnostic methods and the integration of new technologies into patient pathways.[1]
• Explore research, access to treatment and care, health and regional inequalities, palliative care and prevention.[1]
• Consider cancer-specific diagnostic challenges, including earlier detection of brain tumours.[1]

Implementation

The work programme centres on two closed evidence-gathering meetings between February and April 2025, followed by drafting and publication of a mini-inquiry report between May and June 2025.[1]The report is intended to present findings and recommendations on earlier detection and faster diagnosis, supported by engagement with parliamentarians, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, National Health Service officials and Department of Health and Social Care officials.[1]

• Hold an initial closed session on systemic barriers to earlier detection, with attention to screening, surveillance of high-risk groups and onward referral for people with symptoms.[1]
• Hold a second closed session with leading researchers, healthcare professionals, National Health Service officials and Department of Health and Social Care officials to consider diagnostic innovation and the incorporation of technologies within patient pathways.[1]
• Draft a mini-inquiry report from May to June 2025 that sets out evidence, findings and practical recommendations.[1]
• Publish the report and seek media coverage at launch to increase awareness while the Government cancer strategy is expected to be under development.[1]
• Convene three further spotlight sessions during the year on creating research-friendly environments, implementing the national cancer strategy with relevant parliamentary groups and government and health-service representatives, and one topic yet to be confirmed.[1]
• Engage relevant parliamentary groups, government representatives and health-service representatives in discussion of national cancer-strategy implementation.[1]
• Use expert, professional, patient and official perspectives as the principal evidence base for recommendations.[1]

The proposed governance, decision-making arrangements, lead institution, participant-selection process, responsibilities for implementing recommendations, formal monitoring indicators, evaluation methods, reporting cycles beyond the mini-inquiry report, and accountability framework are not specified.[1]

Costs, budgets, funding sources, resource mobilisation arrangements, funding gaps and economic assumptions are also not specified.[1]

Monitoring & Evaluation

The mini-inquiry will generate findings and practical recommendations on earlier detection and faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers through two closed evidence-gathering meetings, additional spotlight sessions, and a report drafted for publication between May and June 2025.[1]

• Examine systemic barriers to earlier detection, including screening, surveillance of high-risk groups and referral of people with symptoms.[1]
• Review diagnostic innovations and their integration into patient pathways with researchers, healthcare professionals, National Health Service officials and Department of Health and Social Care officials.[1]
• Publish a mini-inquiry report setting out findings and recommendations, and seek media coverage at launch to raise awareness while the Government cancer strategy is expected to be in development.[1]
• Engage parliamentarians, experts, patients, officials and relevant parliamentary groups in considering research, national cancer strategy implementation and related priorities.[1]

No formal monitoring framework, quantitative indicators, baseline measures, targets, evaluation methodology, routine reporting cycle, data source, surveillance protocol, named accountable body, or mechanism for tracking implementation of recommendations is specified.[1]

Costing & Financing

No costs, budget, funding source, resource mobilisation approach, allocation, funding gap, economic appraisal, or economic assumption is specified for the mini-inquiry, spotlight sessions, report production, stakeholder engagement or media activity.[1]

• Undertake two closed meetings between February and April 2025 and draft the report between May and June 2025, but no associated financial provision is provided.[1]
• Hold three further spotlight sessions during the year, but no funding arrangements or cost estimates are provided.[1]