The South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA) has launched its first five-year Early Cancer Diagnosis Framework, that sets out key priority areas and recommendations to support cancer prevention and improve early cancer detection and diagnosis.
The framework brings together national and local evidence and data, and insights from patients, community groups, charities, public health teams and NHS partners, along with learning from SELCA’s programmes, to identify the actions needed to improve early cancer detection and diagnosis across South East London over the next five years. The framework comes at a pivotal time as the NHS moves towards delivering its new 10-Year Health Plan and National Cancer Plan.
What is the aim of the Early Cancer Diagnosis Framework, 2026- 2031?
The framework aims to ensure earlier cancer detection and diagnosis for all individuals in South East London - with a particular focus on people and communities affected by health inequalities. By improving early detection and diagnosis, we want more people with cancer to survive longer and enjoy healthier lives.
The framework also aims to support cancer prevention by working collaboratively with local system partners on wider prevention opportunities.
Who is this framework intended for?
The framework has been developed for healthcare professionals and system partners across South East London (SEL) who are involved in cancer improvement and delivery at neighbourhood, borough and SEL level. It is designed to support partners to align priorities, strengthen collaboration and identify opportunities for joint action.
What are the main takeaways?
In the framework we highlight:
- the early diagnosis ambitions set out within the National Cancer Plan;
- national cancer trends and data from South East London on our population and how this might affect our local approach to early cancer detection and diagnosis;
- priority pillars or themes that we can focus on to support early cancer detection and diagnosis;
- recommendations to support cancer prevention, early cancer detection and diagnosis; and
- case studies on work in progress and what has worked for our communities, including resources that can continue to be used by our partners in future.
Smitha Nathan, Deputy Managing Director at the South East London Cancer Alliance, said: “Across South East London, we are already taking important steps to improve cancer prevention, early cancer detection and diagnosis. But by sharing good practice and working collaboratively across organisational boundaries, we can have a greater impact and deliver the ambitions set out in the 10-Year Plan and National Cancer Plan.
“We encourage local healthcare professionals and system partners working across South East London to review the priorities and recommendations in the framework. We hope it will support the development of aligned plans, strengthen collaboration and inspire new opportunities for joint working to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.”
Please read the full Early Cancer Diagnosis Framework, 2026 - 2031 here.
If you have any questions about the framework or would like to discuss the priority pillars and recommendations, please contact: gstt.selca@nhs.net