Announcement of National Cancer Plan for Wales

Rhian Stangroom-Teel, External Affairs Manager Wales at Macmillan Cancer Support said:

"This is a landmark moment for people living with cancer in Wales. A long-term, fully funded plan is a vital step towards ensuring everyone gets the treatment, care and support they need, when they need it.

"The need for change is crucial. Too many people with cancer in Wales still face a poorer prognosis or delays to their treatment and care depending on where they live or who they are.

"Macmillan is ready to work with the Welsh Government and partners, to help develop a Plan that reflects the real experiences of people living with cancer, healthcare professionals and communities, to improve cancer care across Wales."

• We estimate around 190,000 people in Wales are living with a cancer diagnosis[i], yet the current 75% target of people starting treatment within 62 days of first suspicion has never been met[ii]
• Around 21,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in Wales, on average that’s 60 people diagnosed with cancer every day[iii]
• Delivering the scale of change needed will require meaningful collaboration with people affected by cancer, the NHS, charities and wider partners.
• Macmillan is partnering with Life Science Hub Wales to accelerate the spread of innovation across Wales, helping to ensure that breakthrough treatments and best practice reach every community, so access to the latest care is fairer, faster and more equitable for everyone.
• Macmillan has offered practical support, expertise and investment to help drive this work forward, and we remain committed to working constructively with Welsh Government to ensure the Plan delivers tangible improvements for everyone living with cancer across Wales.

[i] Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer prevalence. Accessed July 2026.

[ii] StatsWales. Cancer waiting times: patients starting treatment and patients informed they do not have cancer, June 2019 onwards. Accessed July 2026.

[iii] Public Health Wales. Cancer incidence in Wales. Accessed July 2026.