A £200 million scheme has been announced to tackle postcode lotteries in cancer care.

The investment is aimed at reducing cancer screening inequalities and catching more cancers early.

Data from March 2021 to December 2023 showed the rates of premature death due to cancer were more than two times higher (101 per cent) in Blackpool (208 per 100,000 people) compared with Harrow (104 per 100,000 people). These are the areas with the highest and lowest rates of premature death due to cancer respectively.

Health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, said: "In 1948, Aneurin Bevan founded the NHS with a promise that the best possible care would be available to all, regardless of their ability to pay or where they live. The postcode lottery for cancer care we see today shows that promise has still not been realised. Our cancer plan will put this right, through investment and modernisation.

"I know from my own experience of being diagnosed with kidney cancer how vital early detection is. It was only caught by chance because I went to hospital about something else entirely. I was one of the lucky ones – but healthcare shouldn’t be left to luck. We will ensure that no community is left behind when it comes to catching cancer early. Wealth should not dictate health.

"Advances in medical science allow us to screen much more accurately for early signs of cancer. Bringing this to every part of our country will help catch cancer earlier and treat it faster."

Dr Claire Fuller, National Medical Director at NHS England, said: "Screening is crucial in helping the NHS catch cancers earlier and boost people’s chance of survival, but it’s vital that it is as easy to get screened in the most deprived areas as is in the most affluent parts of England.

"Through the National Cancer Plan we will work closer with local communities to ensure that barriers to early diagnosis and screening opportunities are eradicated and help to make England a world-leader for cancer survival."