The government has said that waiting times for 80,000 cancer patients have been cut thanks to improved detection.

Isabel Lawicka, director of policy and strategy, NHS Providers, said:

"Cancer is a top priority for NHS trusts.

"It's great to see that hard work by staff means that the NHS is seeing more people for urgent cancer checks and making good progress on diagnosing cancer sooner.

"Despite soaring demand, especially during one of the toughest ever winters for the NHS, trusts are focused on improving patient care and cutting waiting times.

"The NHS is seeing more people for suspected cancer checks and tests than before the pandemic but we know that still too many are waiting longer than they should. Trusts will keep doing everything they can to see patients as quickly as possible."