IBMS Response: National Cancer Plan for England
The National Cancer Plan for England sets out a clear shift towards earlier diagnosis, reduced variation in access to care, and wider use of technology to support faster pathways. For biomedical scientists, clinical scientists and laboratory staff, it signals sustained growth in demand across screening, diagnostics, pathology, genomics and data-enabled services.
A central theme is tackling inequalities in screening uptake. The plan includes a new £200 million, three-year Neighbourhood Early Diagnosis Fund, with Cancer Alliances and neighbourhood health services working with communities, commissioners and providers to design targeted local campaigns. For diagnostic services, this is likely to increase activity through screening routes, particularly in areas where uptake has historically been lower.
In lung cancer, the plan builds on the expansion of targeted lung health checks, with an ambition to invite all eligible people for screening within the next five years. It includes a pilot combining AI analysis of lung scans with robotic bronchoscopy to support faster, more precise biopsy. This points to increasing volumes of small, early-stage findings, with downstream effects on sample pathways, reporting demand, and molecular and genomic testing.
Bowel screening will become more sensitive. The plan commits to increasing FIT sensitivity to 80µg Hb/g by 2028, rolling this out nationally, and shifting toward better risk stratification using digital tools including the COLOFIT algorithm, subject to regulatory approval. More cancers and high-risk polyps will be identified earlier. Members may see rising pressure across endoscopy-linked pathways and histopathology services as referral volumes increase.
The plan places greater emphasis on inherited risk and surveillance. The NHS National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Registry will cover over 100 genes linked to increased cancer risk, supporting proactive, targeted prevention and earlier diagnosis. Direct-to-patient genetic testing will extend from 2027. New contracts for NHS Genomic Medicine Service Lead Providers from April 2026 are intended to expand genomic testing and improve timely access to results that inform treatment decisions. For services, this increases the importance of specialist capacity, clear governance, and robust data standards for safe interpretation and reporting.
The plan is explicit about strengthening histopathology. It introduces a maximum timeframe of 10 days from request to report for 98% of histopathology tests on every cancer pathway by 2029. Major investment in digital pathology and automation will support faster processing and reporting. Digital and automation-enabled pathways, with AI enhancing capability, are expected to improve productivity and support more consistent, high-quality reporting at pace.
The plan proposes action to reduce geographic variation in access to cancer care, including training places targeted at trusts with the largest workforce gaps, particularly in rural and coastal areas. It signals a more structured national approach to the adoption of diagnostics, devices and digital tools from April 2027, with expectations for rigorous assessment, consistent commissioning decisions and stronger standardisation across the system.
Delivering these ambitions will depend on the diagnostic workforce and the specialist skills biomedical scientists bring: sample pathway management, method verification and validation, quality systems, clinical interpretation support. Widening the adoption of advanced and specialist practice, alongside training and service development, will be important in maintaining safe turnaround times as screening activity and diagnostic complexity increase.
IBMS Chief Executive David Wells said:
"Earlier diagnosis depends on the quality and consistency of diagnostic services. Biomedical scientists deliver much of the testing that underpins screening, risk stratification and treatment decisions. Expanding screening and introducing new technologies must be matched by sustainable workforce planning, modern laboratory infrastructure, and the assurance frameworks that protect patient safety. Supporting advanced practice and service development will be essential to maintain timely pathways as demand increases."
For members, the key question will be delivery. The plan's ambitions on screening, genomics and technology will only translate into better outcomes if the whole diagnostic pathway is resourced to respond: workforce capacity, advanced practice, validation, quality management, digital connectivity. As implementation details emerge, members will need clear expectations on pathway design, performance standards and workforce support, so services can maintain timely, high-quality results while activity increases.