The policies that made no difference

2000 NHS Cancer Plan promised UK survival rates would be among the best in Europe and pledged an extra £280million in 2001-02 rising to £570million by 2003-04.zThe ten-year scheme aimed to save more lives, tackle the inequalities in health and build for the future by investing in research.

2007 Cancer Reform Strategy promised £370million by 2010. It aimed to speed up drug approval and gave more money to radiotherapy. Breast and bowel cancer screening programmes were extended.

2008 National Cancer Equality Initiative brought together health staff, volunteers and academics to develop research proposals on cancer inequalities and to test interventions.

2008 National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative was a partnership between government and charities to boost early detection.