NHS figures in England show the proportion of patients diagnosed with early-stage cancer has reached the highest level on record.

Data from the 13 most common cancers shows that 58.7% of those diagnosed between September 2023 and August 2024 were identified at stages one and two, which increases the chances of survival.

That’s 2.7 percentage points higher than before the pandemic — and the highest since records began more than 10 years ago.

NHS England said a combination of public awareness campaigns and new screening approaches had made a big difference.

But despite the progress England is still struggling to achieve its ambition to diagnose 75% of cancers at stages one and two by 2028.

And the NHS is also failing to meet its target of starting treatment quickly – almost one in three people with cancer have to wait more than 62 days for an urgent referral.

according to a Nuffield Trust Report These are all factors that have led to cancer survival rates in the UK lagging behind many other comparable countries last year.

Dame Kelly Palmer, NHS England’s national cancer director, acknowledged that “there is still a lot to do”.

But he added: “Lives are saved when cancer is detected early – and following a huge campaign for early detection in recent years, it is really encouraging to see that more people are now being treated earlier than ever before. The diagnosis is being made at this stage itself.”

He said initiatives like the mobile screening program used for lung and liver cancer have made a big difference.

One person who has benefited is Paul Nelson, 72.

When he went to check his lung health last summer, he had no symptoms and was diagnosed with cancer.

He said he was devastated, but the fact it was caught early meant he was able to get treatment.

“I’ve never had any problems with my chest, but I was given the check and then offered a scan, so I thought why not. I’m so glad I went.

“If things had been left for a few more months it could have been very different.”

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, praised the NHS for progress made in early detection of cancer.

But added, “Despite this, people across the country still face unacceptable delays in accessing critical care.”

He said there was a need for a fully funded national cancer plan, with reforms including increased investment in staff and equipment to help improve cancer services.