Rare cancer patients in England will gain faster access to life-saving clinical trials and treatments through the NHS, improving survival
Thousands living with rare cancers across England could soon access vital clinical trials more quickly, as the NHS rolls out digital pathways to groundbreaking research and treatments. This step will help boost survival rates, accelerate innovation, and ensure that all patients, regardless of cancer type, have access to new therapies.
Increasing patient access to clinical trials
Patients with rare cancers will gain access to groundbreaking clinical trials and breakthrough treatments. Forming part of the government’s new National Cancer Plan and the Rare Cancers Bill, patients can take part in clinical trials through the NHS app, giving them the opportunity to benefit from innovative approaches and technology to help fight their disease.
On the NHS app, patients will be able to search for trials on the clinical research database and ask to be contacted. In the future, patients will be able to automatically sign up to receive direct notifications about clinical trials that may benefit them.
Transforming rare cancer research and access
Over the next three years, the Rare Cancers Bill will transform research and investment in rare cancer treatments, provide more consistent access to research and faster progress from discovery to treatment, and ensure the government hires more cancer experts to top national roles to drive this change.
This follows a £32.3 million boost to brain cancer research since July 2024. The money will help develop and enhance trials, focus on new and emerging treatments through precision medicine, and tailor treatments.
Top cancer experts will be recruited to help speed up trial referrals, along with a new national lead for rare cancers. In addition, the National Institute for Health and Care Research will create a new Speciality Lead for Rare Cancers.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said: “I know how painful it is for rare cancer patients and their families to be held back by a clinical trials system that was never designed with them in mind.
We’re modernising the NHS so rare cancer patients not only get breakthrough treatments faster, but also so we have more experts in the right places able to boost survival rates for rare cancers across the country.
The National Cancer Plan marks a step‑change for brain cancer and rare cancer patients, giving researchers the tools they need and patients the hope they deserve.”
Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said: “Clinical trials are the route by which promising research can be turned into treatments that can change and save lives.
This work, alongside our wider efforts to speed up clinical trials in the UK, will make a real difference in helping more cancer patients access trials and accelerate getting new life-changing treatments to those who need them.”
Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said: “People with rare cancers need to know what their options are, and whether more experimental treatments might be possible, especially if their cancer is hard to treat, or previous treatments haven’t been successful.
By making it easier for people to take part in the latest clinical trials we will help thousands more to try targeted treatments, as well as driving forward vital research to find out what works for these cancers as soon as possible.
Improving outcomes for those with rare cancers so more people can live longer and healthier lives will be major part of our upcoming National Cancer Plan.”
Prof Lucy Chappell, DHSC Chief Scientific Advisor and Chief Executive of the NIHR, said: “The NIHR’s mission is to improve the lives of patients and their families through world-class research. As well as funding trials, we want to improve access to them, so that even more people can benefit from the cutting-edge science the UK produces.
With this significant funding, and by establishing the Brain Tumour Research Consortium, we help ensure that people living with brain and other rare cancers are at the forefront of medical breakthroughs. And with our Be Part of Research service now available on the NHS App, it is easier than ever to find and join clinical trials.”
