James Evans MS has called on the Welsh Government to urgently prioritise the fight against six of the deadliest cancers, liver, lung, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach, warning that Wales is falling behind the rest of the UK.
Speaking in the Senedd, James said one-year survival rates for people diagnosed with these “less survivable” cancers in Wales remain just 39%, compared to over 70% for other cancers. He warned that progress has stalled for decades and these cancers continue to disproportionately affect the most deprived communities in Wales.
In particular, he urged the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to follow England’s lead and roll out a targeted lung cancer screening programme, which has already screened over 1 million people and detected thousands of early cases. James also raised growing concerns about the rising number of young people being diagnosed with bowel cancer, calling for earlier detection, more investment in research, and better screening for those with vague or early symptoms.
James Evans MS said:
“Wales cannot afford to keep neglecting the deadliest cancers, morally or financially. For decades, we’ve seen no meaningful improvement in survival rates for cancers like lung, liver, and pancreatic, and the people most affected are often from our most disadvantaged communities.
“It’s time to treat these cancers with the urgency they deserve. A targeted lung screening programme in England is already saving lives. Wales must follow suit. And with more young people now being diagnosed with bowel cancer, we need earlier testing, better tools and proper investment in research.
“We must give people every chance to survive, wherever they live, whatever their background, and however old they are.”
