83. Can the NHS deliver its new National Cancer Plan?


Author: Steve Brine & James Bethell February 5, 2026 Duration: 50:27
Podcast episode
83. Can the NHS deliver its new National Cancer Plan?

A special episode this week of the health and politics podcast, Prevention is the new cure, as Ministers finally publish the National Cancer Plan.


Steve & James talk exclusively to NHS National Clinical Director, Professor Peter Johnson, about the ambition which says 75% of people diagnosed from 2035 will survive long term and meeting the 62-days cancer waiting time standard by the end of this Parliament. In a wide-ranging conversation, they also talk wider cancer prevention, multi-cancer detection tests and the cancer workforce.


And Professor Johnson responds to today's story that testing menstrual blood for signs of cervical cancer could be a new and accurate way of screening for the disease.


In their look at this week's main news in health and politics, the former Ministers consider reports in The Times (£) which claim an 86,000 drop in waiting lists heralded by Ministers was achieved only by removing thousands of patients from the waiting list through a process known as ‘validation'. And they consider the political implications of the BMA's ballot renewal which could see further strike action by Resident Doctors.


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Please remember to follow our show and thanks for listening!


Co-hosts: Steve Brine & James Bethell

Episode producer: Calum Macdonald


This episode is produced as part of the Shortbread Media family of podcasts.


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