ABSTRACT
The NHS Cancer Plan was introduced in September 2000, following a series of cancer guidelines, with the aim of improving cancer care and outcome in the NHS. A multidisciplinary team developed the plan, but for it to have any impact it needed ‘local leadership and support’. The government will play its part by investing in the workforce and tackling shortages. There were 1000 new cancer specialists planned; histopathology and radiography were also targeted. In medieval times a good death was a prepared death. Advance directives are statements made by a person about medical care they would and would not want if they were to become incompetent in the future. Finally, there was planned investment in research, in particular the National Cancer Research Institute. Advances in genetics will lead to a greater understanding of inherited susceptibility in the future. Low-dose rate brachytherapy is as effective as external beam radiotherapy for patients with localised disease.
