National Cancer Plan promises tailored support for people with learning disabilities

The Government’s newly announced National Cancer Plan includes measures to ensure that people with learning disabilities and other disabilities receive an early cancer diagnosis and more tailored support throughout treatment and recovery.

In its equality impact assessment, published alongside the plan, it says that people with disabilities often experience worse outcomes than people without disabilities, including delayed diagnoses, higher rates of diagnosis following an emergency hospital visit, later-stage diagnoses, and increased mortality risk.

One study highlighted that people with learning disabilities were about half as likely to be referred for urgent investigation with ‘red flag’ symptoms due to barriers with screening. This included a lack of knowledge among health professionals of the needs of people with a learning disability or autistic people.

In addition, there is a lack of awareness among screening staff about reasonable adjustments, accessible information and other resources to support people with a learning disability and autistic people.

• Further reading: Avoidable cancer deaths are higher for people with a learning disability

The Government says its new plan will have patients of all backgrounds at its heart and cover the entire cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and aftercare.

It was shaped by an extensive call for evidence exercise, held from 4 February to 29 April 2025, that included over 11,000 responses. The plan’s development considered evidence highlighting the need for improved communication, longer appointments, and more tailored care for people with disabilities. 

Cancer survival shouldn’t be a lottery

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: “Cancer survival shouldn’t come down to who won the lottery of life. But cancer is more likely to be a death sentence in Britain than other countries around the world.

“As a cancer survivor who owes my life to the NHS, I owe it to future patients to make sure they receive the same outstanding care I did.

“Thanks to the revolution in medical science and technology, we have the opportunity to transform the life chances of cancer patients. Our cancer plan will invest in and modernise the NHS, so that opportunity can be seized and our ambitions realised. This plan will slash waits, invest in cutting-edge technology and give every patient the best possible chance of beating cancer.”

What is in the National Cancer Plan?

The plan sets out sweeping reforms to how cancer is diagnosed and treated, including a £2.3 billion investment that will deliver 9.5 million additional tests by 2029, with funding for more scanners, digital technology, and automated testing. Where possible, community diagnostic centres will operate 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, bringing testing closer to where people live.

New technology is also being developed to give patients better access to tests for cancer by offering them the earliest available appointment from a range of NHS organisations in their local area.

Through broader initiatives, such as the government’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan, steps are being taken to support people, including disabled people as a priority group, in their transition to digital. In addition, the plan aims to ensure that disabled individuals, who may have difficulty attending traditional appointments or accessing health information, are reached through alternative, more flexible channels.

Clear cancer ambitions for disabled people

The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) said that the government’s cancer plan includes welcome commitments to improving detection and early intervention, screening and outcomes for disabled people, who too often face unacceptable and avoidable inequity of healthcare.

Chief Executive Rhidian Hughes added: “The plan sets clear ambitions to ensure disabled people at risk of developing cancer are identified earlier and encouraged to access screening and other preventative support to improve timely diagnosis and treatment, narrowing health inequalities.

“The commitment in the action plan to engage with manufacturers to promote the development of mammography machines accessible to people with physical disabilities is a marked step forward and will undoubtedly have a positive impact when realised.”

Alison Bloomer

Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today.

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