Government steps up action on breast cancer
What was announced
More than 1,000 people join trial testing shorter radiotherapy treatment, potentially saving patients 10 hospital trips.
Key points, in the publisher's words
- Women with breast cancer could be spared 10 hospital visits during radiotherapy through government-backed research, as well as benefit from action to diagnose cancer earlier and strengthen patient support.
- More than 1,000 people have joined a government-funded trial, testing whether breast cancer radiotherapy can be safely cut from three weeks to just five days.
- The FAST-Forward Boost trial is running at 39 hospitals across the UK and will test a shorter course of radiotherapy with an additional targeted dose, known as a boost, to help prevent breast cancer returning.
Figures in this announcement
Each line is quoted from the original. Figures are as the publisher stated them on the day.
- “More than 1,000 people join trial testing shorter radiotherapy treatment, potentially saving patients 10 hospital trips.”
- “More than 1,000 people have joined a government-funded trial, testing whether breast cancer radiotherapy can be safely cut from three weeks to just five days.”
- “As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, figures show more women are taking up their first breast screening invitation than at any point in the past decade, with uptake reaching 63.6%.”
- “Professor Anna Kirby, Chief Investigator of the FAST-Forward Boost trial, based at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: Reaching 1,000 participants is a fantastic milestone.”
- “Rachael Franklin, Deputy Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, said: In England, around 30% of female breast cancers are diagnosed via screening, most at an early stage making it a vital part of early detection.”
- “When diagnosed at stage 1 almost 100% of people survive for five years or more, compared with just 32% at stage 4.”
Who and where
People
- Yvette Cooper (MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley (Labour)) · more news
- Ashley Dalton (MP for West Lancashire (Labour)) · more news
UK bodies of power
- Department of Health and Social Care (UK government department) · more news
Constituencies of the MPs named: Pontefract Castleford And Knottingley, West Lancashire.
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Research and innovation in health and social care.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-steps-up-action-on-breast-cancer
- Published 2026-10-30 00:15:05 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-10-30 00:30:10 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 4681, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Related official news
- Under-18 sales ban on nicotine products and all vapes
- Under-18 sales ban extended to nicotine products and all vapes
- New MHRA research puts needle-free Strep A vaccine within reach
- Steps to Safety initiative introduced in 12 areas across England
- New mental health pilot for young people supported by social care
- Social media campaign urges Brits to get vaccinated for winter
More from GOV.UK
- Defence contracts to prioritise British jobs and skills
- PM’s message to Devolved Governments: “Work with me to empower every single part of the UK”
- PM remarks at Rough Sleeping Summit: 26 October 2026
- Lead sponsor applications open in step towards refugee arrivals
- Secretary of State announces appointment of a new Civil Service Commissioner for Northern Ireland
- Local government reorganisation: review update letters to council leaders