So we’re now in 2025 and I’m still asking myself the same question I was more than 17 years ago. I see so much work being done in the cancer space. Vast amounts written and spoken too. But I can’t help thinking that if we wanted to do better, we could. So many individual people and organisations looking at different parts of the problem. Both nationally and internationally, does not seem the right way to go for one of the biggest killer diseases in the world. Whatever progress we have made, is not good enough for the investment put in. Bearing in mind that we now have incredible technology and AI. Why should we continue in this way?
It’s a tough question, isn’t it? On the surface, the answer seems obvious: of course society wants to improve the cancer sector. After all, cancer touches nearly everyone in some way – whether it’s a personal diagnosis, a loved one’s battle, or the fear of what might come in the future. But when you dig a little deeper, the reality becomes more complicated. If society truly wanted to improve the cancer sector, wouldn’t we be seeing more progress? Wouldn’t we be prioritising the changes that patients, families, and healthcare professionals have been crying out for?
Having lived with cancer for many years, I’ve seen the promises, the headlines, and the campaigns. But I’ve also seen the gaps, the delays, and the lack of urgency. So, does society really want to improve the cancer sector? Or is it just something we say we care about, while the real action lags behind?
The Good Intentions Are There
Let’s start with the positives. There’s no doubt that many people – from healthcare workers to researchers, charities, and even policymakers – are deeply committed to improving cancer care. Every day, doctors and nurses go above and beyond to support patients, often under impossible conditions. Researchers are working tirelessly to develop new treatments and understand the disease better. Charities raise millions to fund support services and groundbreaking studies. And patients themselves are sharing their stories, raising awareness, and pushing for change.
On an individual level, the desire to improve the cancer sector is clear. But when it comes to society as a whole – the systems, the funding, the priorities – the picture becomes murkier.
The Reality of Priorities
The truth is, society’s priorities don’t always align with what’s needed to improve cancer care. Politicians talk about “world-class healthcare” and “beating cancer,” but when it comes to allocating resources, cancer care often takes a back seat to more immediate or visible issues. For example:
- Funding Gaps: The NHS is underfunded across the board, and cancer care is no exception. Diagnostic equipment is outdated, staff shortages are rampant, and access to new treatments is slow. If society truly prioritised cancer care, wouldn’t we see more investment in these areas?
- Inequalities: Where you live, your income, and even your ethnicity can all affect the quality of cancer care you receive. These disparities have been known for years, yet progress in addressing them has been painfully slow. If society cared enough, wouldn’t we have tackled these inequalities by now?
- Prevention and Early Detection: We know that early detection saves lives, yet screening programs are underfunded and underutilised. Public health campaigns around cancer prevention – like promoting healthy lifestyles or reducing smoking rates – often lack the funding and visibility they need to make a real impact.
It’s not that society doesn’t care about cancer – it’s that other issues often seem to take precedence. And when resources are limited, cancer care becomes just one of many competing priorities.
The Role of Profit
Another uncomfortable truth is that cancer care has become a business. Private healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and even some charities operate within a system where profit plays a significant role. While innovation and investment are essential, the commercialisation of cancer care can sometimes feel at odds with the goal of improving outcomes for everyone.
For example:
- Drug Costs: Life-saving cancer drugs are often priced so high that they’re out of reach for many patients, even in countries with public healthcare systems. If society truly wanted to improve cancer care, wouldn’t we find a way to make these treatments more affordable?
- Private vs Public Care: The rise of private cancer care in the UK highlights the growing divide between those who can afford faster, more personalised treatment and those who can’t. While private care has its place, it raises questions about whether society is willing to invest enough in the NHS to ensure everyone gets the care they need.
The Burden on Individuals
One of the clearest signs that society isn’t doing enough to improve the cancer sector is the burden placed on individuals. Patients and their families are often left to navigate a complex, underfunded system on their own. They’re expected to:
- Chase referrals and appointments.
- Research treatment options and advocate for themselves.
- Fundraise for experimental treatments or travel abroad for care.
- Cope with the emotional, physical, and financial toll of cancer with limited support.
If society truly wanted to improve cancer care, wouldn’t we make it easier for patients and families to focus on healing, rather than fighting the system?
What Needs to Change?
If we want to prove that society truly cares about improving the cancer sector, we need to back up our words with action. Here are some key areas where change is urgently needed:
- Increased Funding: Cancer care needs sustained investment – not just in treatment, but in prevention, early detection, and support services.
- Tackling Inequalities: Everyone, regardless of their background or location, should have access to high-quality cancer care.
- Faster Access to Innovation: New treatments and technologies should be made available to patients as quickly as possible, without being prohibitively expensive.
- Support for Healthcare Workers: The people on the frontlines of cancer care need better pay, working conditions, and mental health support.
- Patient-Centric Systems: Cancer care should be designed around the needs of patients and families, not the convenience of the system.
So, Does Society Really Want to Improve Cancer Care?
I believe the desire is there – but desire alone isn’t enough. Improving the cancer sector requires more than good intentions. It requires bold decisions, significant investment, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. It requires society to prioritise cancer care not just in words, but in actions.
As someone who has lived with cancer for many years, I’ve seen what’s possible when the system works well. I’ve also seen the devastating consequences when it doesn’t. The question isn’t whether society cares about cancer – it’s whether we care enough to do what’s necessary to make real, lasting improvements.
What do you think? Are we doing enough as a society to improve cancer care, or is there more we could be doing? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep the conversation going.
