General election 2024
![An image split into two, on the left is the Palace of Westminster, on the right a person wearing casual clothes and a medical staff hugging](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/hero_11.png)
From “Hear, hear" to “All clear”
Make this general election a turning point for cancer.
Beating cancer starts with action. We want to see more cancers prevented, more life-saving research implemented, more people diagnosed and treated earlier – ultimately, more people living longer, better lives. We need the next UK Government to commit to a long term plan for cancer to get there.
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The five pledges
We’re calling for all political parties to commit to our manifesto’s five pledges which could help to prevent 20,000 cancer deaths every year by 2040.
![smokefree campaigner](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/styles/cruk_no_style/public/smokefreecampaigner2.jpg?itok=qGRsc6mo)
Back research
Set out a plan to close the more than £1bn funding gap for research into cancer over the next decade. Life-saving research must be a political priority.
![female smokefree campaigner](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/styles/cruk_no_style/public/female_smokefree_campaigner.jpg?itok=7hxJy2jN)
End cancers caused by smoking
Raise the age of sale of tobacco and fund a world-leading programme of measures to help people who smoke to quit.
![young female smokefree campaigner](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/styles/cruk_no_style/public/young_female_smokefree_campaigner.jpg?itok=ragKG2Qy)
Drive earlier diagnoses
Implement proven measures, including a lung screening programme, to diagnose cancers early and reduce inequalities in access.
![female smokefree campaigner](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/styles/cruk_no_style/public/female_smokefree_campaigner3.jpg?itok=yWu3YWd_)
End the waits
Ensure cancer wait time targets are met across England. An earlier diagnosis and timely access to tests, screening and treatment gives people with cancer the best chance of survival.
![female smokefree campaigner](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/styles/cruk_no_style/public/female_smokefree_campaigner2_0.jpg?itok=CH3Iq0q4)
Lead on Cancer
Publish a long-term cancer strategy for England and Establish a National Cancer Council, accountable to the Prime Minister, to drive cross-government action on cancer.
We’ve made huge progress on cancer in the last 50 years. But, today, patients face unacceptable waits.
Many face unequal access to diagnosis and treatment. Over the next decade, there is a £1bn funding gap for life-saving research into cancer. As political parties reach out to the country, there’s never been a better opportunity to come together and demand the action needed for everyone affected by cancer.
![campaigners talking](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/styles/cruk_no_style/public/campaigners_talking_0.jpg?itok=AlcD88bw)
IN THE PRESS : Cancer News
34,000 cancer deaths could be prevented if we make this election a turning point for cancer
The UK could avoid 34,000 cancer deaths within a decade of the general election on 4 July if the next government takes urgent action to improve cancer outcomes. Avoiding these cancer deaths relies on the next UK Government rolling out a long-term, fully funded cancer strategy in England, including policies to back research and better prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
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