Fixing the Foundations Statement on World Cancer Day 2026
Today, (4th February 2026) the Wales Cancer Alliance is calling on the next Welsh Government to take a long-term, strategic approach to planning cancer services as short-term plans and initiatives have not provided the scale of improvements patients need.
“As of today, World Cancer Day, Wales is the only UK nation without a long-term plan to drive improvements in cancer care and outcomes. With cancer incidence in Wales rising – adding pressure to an already stretched system – the next Government must urgently address this and drive the progress patients and NHS staff so desperately need.
In our new briefing, we detail the need for a long-term, strategic, approach to planning cancer services, and an end to the present patchwork of short-term plans and initiatives that are not delivering the consistent and ambitious improvements needed.
It draws on international evidence and conversations with senior NHS leaders, planners, third sector organisations and people with lived experience of cancer and who all concluded that a planned approach is vital. The Wales Cancer Alliance wants to see all political parties commit to this in the run up to the Senedd elections.”
