26th January 2010, BMA House, London

Following the launch of the Cancer Reform Strategy in December 2007, this seminar examined how effective the strategy has been at improving the early detection of cancer, delivery of cancer services, patient experience and outcomes.  It was timed to coincide with the second annual report on the Cancer Reform Strategy, available here .

Topics covered included: Has the Cancer Reform Strategy changed the way in which cancer care is delivered? Have the reforms and a wider focus on patient choice improved outcomes for all types of cancer and patient experience? What are the areas of most concern within current cancer trends? Which areas of the strategy have been most challenging in terms of implementation and how has this been addressed?

With public sector spending looking set to be reigned back after the next election, how will this affect funding for cancer treatments, support and research? What can be done to make service delivery more efficient? Local autonomy and the national health service.

The success of the  National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative was also covered.

Reporting for ecancer, Professor Richard Sullivan, from the King's Health Partners Integrated Cancer Centre at King's College London and former head of clinical programmes at Cancer Research UK, gives his round up of the day.