Thank you for contacting me about leukaemia.
The Government recognises that tackling major conditions that cause ill-health - including blood cancers - can help improve the lives of millions of people. That is why a Major Conditions Strategy is being developed to outline how outcomes in six major condition areas will be improved, including all cancers. A call for evidence has concluded and I understand that the strategy will be published in due course.
This will build on the commitment in the NHS Long Term Plan to reach the goal of 75 per cent of people being diagnosed with cancer at an early stage by 2028. In the meantime, the Government has allocated £2.3 billion to increase the volume of diagnostic activity and the number of community diagnostic centres to increase capacity for clinical tests, including phlebotomy for the diagnosis of suspected blood cancers.
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) World Awareness Day on Sunday 21 April is a crucial opportunity to raise awareness of signs and symptoms among the public and healthcare professionals. Through the NHS Long Term Plan, I know that the NHS has the ambition to ensure that 75 per cent of all cancers are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 by 2028. The Government recognises that tackling major conditions that cause ill-health - including blood cancers - can help improve the lives of millions of people.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
