Revoloutionary cancer early warning system to be rolled out in the UK giving earlier diagnoses for patients
The new system will help clinicians see patients quicker and prioritise those most in need by bringing cancer patients' data into one central system.
The tool, called Cancer 360, moves existing analogue systems to a digital one, so staff won't have to gather important information about each cancer patient from different spreadsheets, emails, and records.
Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS national clinical transformation director, said: 'Every cancer patient deserves swift, effective care, and our new Cancer 360 solution harnesses data to ensure exactly that. By giving clinicians a comprehensive view of patient pathways, we can identify and address delays immediately.
'The NHS federated data platform (FDP) is already showing its value in transforming cancer care, helping our hard-working staff deliver better outcomes while reducing administrative burden. As Cancer 360 expands to more hospitals nationwide, I'm confident we'll see meaningful improvements in both treatment times and patient experience.'
It is understood that trusts will not have to use the tool, but those not meeting the cancer standard – including that 85 per cent of cancer patients should have started their treatment within 62 days of being referred – may be asked to consider how Cancer 360 could help them meet targets.
As well as helping patients get a faster diagnosis, the DHSC said Cancer 360 will also help cut treatment delays and thus boost survival rates.
The technology has been piloted at Royal United Hospital Bath, and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
It helped Chelsea and Westminster Hospital meet the faster diagnosis standard, whereby 75 per cent of patients should receive a diagnosis or ruling out of cancer within 28 days of referral.
Suraiya Abdi, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust, said: 'The implementation of Cancer 360 has enabled my team to monitor and safely carry our patients through their cancer pathway.
'The tool enables us to have in depth conversations at our weekly meetings regarding a patient's next step as well as allowing us to escalate queries directly to other teams for faster turnaround.
'The tool has reduced the amount of admin time spent by our cancer team therefore enabling them to focus on the patient journey. I have witnessed an improvement in performance, team spirit and most importantly patient experience.'
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: 'I've seen first-hand the stress and heartbreak that cancer causes in my own family.
'Dependent on archaic pen-and-paper systems, life-saving diagnostics appointments hung on whether a post-it note lost its stick, or a piece of paper went missing.
'That put lives at risk, and with the technology we have today, there's no reason for any part of our healthcare service to run in such a way.
'Simply by keeping accurate records, the technology we are putting to work today will cut waiting times and save lives, delivering on our plan for change.
'That way, people can once again trust that their local hospital has the tools it needs to focus on what matters – treating their loved ones and keeping families together for longer.'
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Government is investing £26 billion in the health service, adding: 'It's a long road but we're already getting our NHS back on its feet, giving patients over three million more appointments, hiring 1,500 new GPs and starting the roll-out of new tech that will save lives.'
The DHSC said Cancer 360, to be rolled out soon, will benefit millions of patients in the next five to 10 years.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Thousands of Brits face 48 hours without water after major Welsh Water outage
Water company Welsh Water has confirmed that the repair of the burst water main in Broughton has been completed but the disruption will continue over the next 48 hours Thousands of Brits will be without water until Sunday after a major main burst this week, causing chaos for households. While the issue has has now been fixed, disruptions are set to continue into the weekend in Flintshire, Wales. Some residents may not see their supply restored until Sunday, they have been warned, as outage frustration grows. Welsh Water confirmed today that the repair was completed following a full emergency replacement. The incident, which began on August 14, was due to issues with a temporary fix in the Broughton area of the county. It comes after the NHS warns which mouth symptom could be a sign of a life-shortening disease. Communities across Deeside and along the Flintshire coast as far as Talacre were affected after the initial fault. Welsh Water reported "further problems" earlier this week, prompting urgent repair work. The disruption sparked concern across the area, with some residents in Ffynnongroew worried about having little to no water for up to five days during another summer heatwave in Wales. In response, bottled water was distributed to Ffynnongroew Canolfan and Talacre Community Centre. Although the damaged main has now been repaired, a Welsh Water spokesman said the process of refilling the water network, which stretches more than 500km, is being carefully managed to avoid secondary bursts. While most supplies are expected to return by Saturday, full restoration may not be complete until Sunday, August 17, reports Wales Online. The company highlighted the complexity of the repair, with the main located five metres underground and surrounded by other utility infrastructure. Welsh Water stated it continues to support vulnerable customers and is also supplying water to two hospitals and 20 care homes in the area. Be the first to read the biggest stories in Wales by signing up to our daily newsletter here. Alternative water supplies can be found at the following locations:. Compensation arrangements have been confirmed, with Welsh Water issuing an open letter to customers available on their website. Late on Friday afternoon, Welsh Water issued a full statement: "We can confirm that the repair of the burst water main in Broughton has been completed this afternoon. "The work of re-filling the water network has also started. This will take time as we need to avoid causing any secondary bursts on this extensive network which is over 500km. The disruption will continue over the next 48 hours as the network gradually refills. While we aim to restore the majority of supplies to customers tomorrow supplies will not be fully restored to everybody until Sunday. "We are extremely sorry about this disruption as it is longer than we had hoped but the repair has proved challenging given that the water main is 5m deep and surrounded by underground utility cables. We are continuing to support our most vulnerable customer while also supporting two hospitals and 20 care homes. "Customers whose water supplies are affected can collect an alternative water supply at:". We ask that customers only take the bottled water that is needed. If customers have any elderly or vulnerable family members, friends or neighbours we urge you to check in with them to ensure they have bottled water. "We have confirmed compensation arrangements and also issued an open letter to our customers here."
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Mounjaro prices double as weight loss jab popularity soars
US-based Eli Lilly says a 5mg dose will nearly double from £92 to £180 from September 1, while a 15mg pen will rise from £122 to £330. A Lilly spokesperson said: 'Following a review, Lilly will increase the UK list price for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) from 1 September to address pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe. We have reached an agreement with the NHS to ensure continued supply and patient access." The statement continues: 'While Lilly does not determine the prices that private healthcare providers set, we are working with them to maintain patient access. The UK was one of the first countries where Lilly launched Mounjaro, and our priority was to bring it to patients as quickly as possible during a time of limited supply of GLP-1 RA treatments for type 2 diabetes. 'At launch, Lilly agreed to a UK list price that is significantly below the European average to prevent delays in NHS availability." More than 1.5 million people in the UK are believed to be using weight-loss medication each month, with most buying the jabs from private pharmacies. Mounjaro users report surprising side effect - pharmacists share their tips — Bucks Free Press (@bucksfreepress) August 8, 2025 This comes as the Government has joined forces with Eli Lilly in a bid to tackle obesity. The move could see patients accessing care at pharmacies or by using online platforms. The £85 million programme from Eli Lilly and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has been designed to look at how obese patients can access weight management care more easily. This includes through community services, in pharmacies and online. Using these tools, eligible patients could be treated 'in a matter of months', according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Under the agreement, the Government will contribute up to £50 million in UK-wide investment. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly will back the programme with £35 million, and NHS organisations will be able to apply for a share of the funding. Recommended reading: Mounjaro warning as pens ruined by heatwave temperatures This comes as users are risking having to throw away perfectly good Mounjaro pens as they have overheated in the recent heatwave. Improper storage of Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro during a heatwave could destroy the active ingredient in these jabs, potentially wiping out their effects entirely, even if the medication looks completely normal. 'We recommend treating your weight-loss pen the same way you'd treat insulin or any critical medication,' says Danielle Brightman, Clinical Director at Numan. 'When in doubt, don't risk it. Speak to a healthcare professional and arrange a replacement.' 8 tips to protect Mounjaro and other weight-loss injections during hot weather Use a medical-grade cool bag. Transport your pen in a proper, insulated container designed for sensitive medications. Don't use improvised ice packs that might freeze the pen by accident. Never leave your pen in hot places. Even 10 minutes in a parked car or on a sunny kitchen counter could expose it to damaging heat if out of its delivery packaging or unrefrigerated. Always check the environment before setting it down. Store below 30°C once in use. Once opened and if not refrigerated, keep your pen in a shaded, ventilated area, away from heat sources, windows, and radiators. If you live in a flat or home without air conditioning, keep the pen in a bedroom or hallway that doesn't heat up from direct sun. Avoid storing near exterior walls if the property retains heat. Follow the usage timeline carefully. The storage instructions between medications. Wegovy after first use can last 6 weeks below 30 degrees then needs to be disposed of, whereas Mounjaro has a shorter time of 30 days below 30 degrees before needing to be disposed of. Stick to that timeframe, and if you're unsure whether it's still safe, consult your provider. Use a fridge thermometer at home. Fridge temperatures can fluctuate, especially in older models or over-packed shelves. A simple digital fridge thermometer can help ensure your pen is always stored between 2–8°C before first use. Planning to travel? Use airline-friendly cooling cases. If you're flying or taking long journeys, consider TSA-approved insulated medication pouches with cooling gel packs. Always store the pen in carry-on luggage, not checked baggage, as cargo holds can get hot or cold. Set storage reminders on your phone. If you're prone to forgetting where you left your pen, set daily reminders to check if it's stored properly, especially during heatwaves or while travelling. Don't store near appliances or steam sources. Keep pens away from kettles, toasters, ovens, dishwashers, and anywhere that might experience sudden heat or humidity, especially in small kitchens or shared spaces. Injections like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are now widely used across the UK for appetite control and sustainable weight management. But despite their growing popularity and increasing availability now through the NHS, most patients don't realise the strict temperature guidelines that must be followed to keep these drugs effective. 'We speak to patients every day who are using GLP-1s for the first time,' says Danielle. 'With temperatures set to soar again this summer, it's crucial we raise awareness about safe medication storage. Heat damage isn't always obvious, but it can have a huge impact on effectiveness and safety."
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Urine trouble: Expert pinpoints the health conditions which cause foamy pee - and some are deathly serious
Bubbles in your urine can a sign of hidden underlying health conditions including organ damage, diabetes and urinary infection, an expert has warned. Whilst foamy urine could be caused by the force of the stream stirring up the water in the toilet bowl, especially if you are well hydrated, it could also be a sign of something more serious. 'What looks like harmless foam could by your body's way of waving a red flag,' Dr Reshmi Verma, a functional nutritionist and health coach, warned her 114,000 Instagram followers. 'If you see persistent bubbles, even after hydrating well, get your urine checked for protein levels,' she urged her followers—as this could be a red-flag sign of kidney disease or immune disorders. According to the NHS, frothy urine can be a tell-tale sign of glomerulonephritis—damage to the tiny filters inside the kidney caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue. Although mild cases can be treated effectively through dietary changes to reduce the strain on the kidneys, for some people the condition can lead to long-term kidney problems. Some people with the condition also have high blood pressure which can lead to serious problems like heart attack or stroke if left untreated. This unusual symptom can also be a sign of large amounts of protein being passed out through urine—a condition known as proteinuria. Whilst protein is present in the blood and is essential for growth and repair, healthy kidneys should only filter tiny amounts into the urine. Under normal circumstances, the kidneys do not permit protein molecules to pass through and end up in the urine, as most proteins are too large to be filtered through. A significant increase in protein levels is usually an indication of a damaged and leaky kidney filter. However, it could also be a sign of diabetes or high blood pressure. Both of these conditions can affect blood flow to the kidneys, impairing their function and resulting in more protein being passed out than usual. According to Dr Verma, chronic infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder problems can also cause cause excess protein and bubbles in the urine. UTIs affect the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, the urethra and the kidneys. According to the NHS, common symptoms include pain or a burning sensation when urinating, needing to pass urine more often than usual and cloudy looking urine—which can also be a sign of dehydration. Some people may also experience lower abdominal or back pain as well as a really high or lower temperature. 'Remember, early action can protect your health,' Dr Verma added. It comes as health experts have warned that spending too much—or too little—time urinating can be a tell-tale sign of underlying health conditions. Experts have warned that frequently peeing can be a sign of an overactive bladder—which is when you have a sudden, strong urge to urinate even when your bladder isn't full. Doctors have long warned against spending too long on the toilet, with endless scrolling on social media exacerbating the risk and triggering a host of health problems. According to Dr Punam Krishan, these include haemorrhoids, also known as piles, a weakened pelvic floor—triggering continence issues—and, in extreme cases, lead to a painful condition called rectal prolapse. Haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the back passage that can cause itching, discomfort, bleeding, and a persistent feeling of needing to pass stool. Though often dismissed as minor or embarrassing, haemorrhoids are extremely common—affecting an estimated one in three adults in the UK at some point. And the increase in prolonged toilet sitting, often coupled with mobile phone use, is quietly contributing to a rise in cases, Dr Krishnan said.
