Earlier diagnosis of cancer saves or extends more lives and improves quality of life for people affected by cancer. At SWAG Cancer Alliance, we are committed to improving outcomes through prevention and earlier detection of cancer.
We do this through working with our partners:
- Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
- Hospital Trusts
- Primary care Networks, GP practices and pharmacies
- Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE sector)
- Regional screening teams
- Health Innovation West of England
- Local Authorities and Public Health
While progress has been made in early diagnosis over recent years, cancer outcomes are significantly influenced by socio-economic and ethnic disparities.
Our Priorites
Our data tells us that:
- Early diagnosis rates vary by up to 11% between the most and least deprived areas and people living in low income areas are:
- 20% more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage
- Experience nearly 25% more emergency hospital visits in the last year of life
- Face 60% higher death rates from cancer compared to people in wealthier areas
- Early diagnosis rates significantly lower among Black populations compared to White populations
At SWAG Cancer Alliance, our commitment to reducing these inequalities underpins all of our early diagnosis work.
Our work contributes to the overall NHS Long-Term Plan early diagnosis of cancer ambition that by 2028 the proportion of cancers diagnosed at stage one and two will rise to three quarters of all cancer patients.
The NHS Long Term Plan set out the national ambition that by 2028:
- 3 out of 4 people diagnosed with cancer will be diagnosed at an early stage
- 55,000 more people will survive for 5 years or more by 2028 following their cancer diagnosis.
In 2024 – 2025 we saw a 6% improvement in early diagnosis rates across our region (55% - 61%). Continuing to drive improvements in early diagnosis so that more people survive cancer remains a priority.
Live funding opportunities:
We are inviting applications for funding in three areas of early diagnosis and health inequalities:
Small Grants Scheme
This funding is designed for small projects that reach and support marginalised groups at risk of health inequalities, and who may struggle to access cancer services.
Purpose: Reduce health inequalities
Who can apply: Voluntary or charity organisations, community groups, faith groups, social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations, primary care networks (including GP practices and pharmacies).
Deadline: 3 December 2025
Service Development Fund
This funding is designed for larger projects that align to one of the four early diagnosis pillars described below, or projects that reduce health inequalities throughout the cancer pathway.
Purpose: Improve early diagnosis and reduce health inequalities
Who can apply: All partners across SWAG including ICBs, Hospital Trusts, and VCSFE organisations.
Deadline: 30 November 2025
Case Finding Pilot
This funding is designed for primary care partners to run case finding projects that actively search for suspected cancer cases within known high-risk groups or tumour sites.
Purpose: Improve early diagnosis and patient outcomes
Who can apply: Primary Care Networks, GP practices, pharmacies across SWAG.
Deadline: 28 November 2025
Our work to improve early diagnosis of cancer
Our work to improve early diagnosis of cancer aligns to the four pillars of the national early diagnosis strategy:
Timely Presentation
We work hard to increase public knowledge of the signs and symptoms of cancer through dedicated campaigns and work in partnership with local communities to ensure we reach the most underserved communities.
Support for Primary Care
We work with primary care networks and GPs to support earlier detection of cancer, improve access, and support timely and effective referrals into hospital.
Cancer Screening
We are committed to increasing uptake of the three national screening programmes (Breast, Bowel and Cervical) across our region, specifically to improve screening uptake in populations seldom heard. This includes modernising and expanding cancer screening programmes.
Local Innovation
Working with colleagues and partners across our region to identify innovative solutions in new ways of working or interventions that improve earlier diagnosis
Early Diagnosis Projects
In addition, we have three targeted projects, focusing on cancers that have poorer outcomes due to later diagnosis:
