• AstraZeneca convenes the UK oncology community, including Lord Ara Darzi, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, to work towards eliminating cancer as a cause of death with Cancer: Project Zero.
• We call upon the UK Government to deliver on its recent commitment to develop a dedicated cancer strategy in collaboration with the cancer community and for it to follow the 10 Year Health Plan (due to be published in spring 2025) without delay.
London, UK, Thursday, 14, November, 2024 – Today, leading cancer experts unite behind AstraZeneca UK’s Cancer: Project Zero; a platform for the UK oncology community to discuss and debate the opportunities and challenges in eliminating cancer as a cause of death. AstraZeneca, together with eminent voices in oncology, is calling on the UK Government to deliver on its recent commitment to develop a dedicated cancer strategy in collaboration with the cancer community and for it to follow the 10 Year Health Plan (due to be published in spring 2025) without delay.
As part of the campaign, AstraZeneca has launched a collection of ‘Zero Essays’ authored by leading oncology voices. Each essay shares unique insights into the collective efforts required to make ‘Zero’ a reality, spanning key areas of focus such as cancer prevention, artificial intelligence, precision medicine and health equity. The essay collection is now available to view and download here.
Cancer is one of the biggest health burdens faced by society.1 In the UK, almost one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime,2 with someone receiving a diagnosis at least every 90 seconds.3 While significant progress has been made for certain cancer types as a result of improved screening programmes, vaccinations, treatment and care, many people still face long waiting times and poor outcomes when they are diagnosed with cancer.
Professor the Lord Ara Darzi of Denham, Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, explains: “I have seen first-hand how artificial intelligence has the power to truly revolutionise how we detect, treat and manage cancer. In order to make this a common reality, endorsement of innovation by the new Government and robust regulation are essential. It was an honour to write on this subject, alongside other authors and topics as part of the AstraZeneca ‘Zero Essays’, to show my commitment to the campaign’s ambitions and work towards a future where no-one dies of cancer.”
One of the essay contributors, Professor Richard Simcock, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Chief Medical Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, who authored the 'Longer, Better Lives' essay says: “At Macmillan Cancer Support we do whatever it takes to ensure everyone gets the best possible care today, while sparking a revolution in cancer care for the future, where the ambitions of Project Zero could be realised.
“As an oncologist, the advancements in research, innovation and treatment fill me with hope that we are moving in the right direction. However, there is still a lot to do to ensure that everyone living with cancer - no matter who they are or where they live - benefits. Achieving 'Project Zero' will require co-operation across governments, within and beyond health and social care, and the charity and community sectors. I feel privileged to be able to write on the subject of personalised care and the vital role it plays in ensuring that each individual with cancer gets their unique set of needs met, and also to contribute to essential conversations like this about how we can work together towards a future where no one dies from cancer".
Anna Arent, Head of Oncology, AstraZeneca UK, comments: “Zero may feel far away but our goal with this campaign is to celebrate the progress already made and to collectively address the next steps required - including welcoming the Government’s recent commitment to a dedicated cancer strategy and calling for it to be developed in collaboration with the cancer co
NOTES TO EDITORS
CONTACTS
For media enquiries, contact Emma White on Emma.White1@astrazeneca.com.
About Cancer: Project Zero
Cancer: Project Zero is the collective ambition to one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death, so that one day, Zero people die from cancer. Cancer: Project Zero provides a platform for an engaging debate around the challenges and opportunities faced in advancing the fight against cancer. The value of Project Zero is not to form unrealistic expectations, but to use an inspirational framework. The campaign allows for the consideration of radical changes needed in how emerging technologies are used to diagnose and treat cancer, to advance towards the ultimate ambition of Zero deaths from cancer.
The campaign includes a collection of essays that consider opportunities to advance future cancer care, today. Contributors include:
• Michelle Mitchell OBE, CEO of Cancer Research UK,
• Professor Charles Swanton, Chief Clinician at Cancer Research UK
• Professor Frank Chinegwundoh MBE, Consultant Urological Surgeon and Chairman of Cancer Black Care
• Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald OBE, Professor of Cancer Prevention and Director of Early Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge
• Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham, Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London
• Professor Richard Simcock, Chief Medical Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support
• Professor Alastair Greystoke, Professor of Precision Oncology, Newcastle University
• Anna Jewell, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce
Each essay explores advancements and contributions in cancer care in the UK, exploring topics such as artificial intelligence, precision medicine and health equity.
About AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
With a proud 100-year heritage in advancing UK science, today AstraZeneca is the UK’s leading biopharmaceutical company. The company is based in five different locations across the UK, with its global headquarters in Cambridge. In the UK, around 8,700 employees work in research and development, manufacturing, supply, sales, and marketing. We supply around 36 different medicines to the NHS.
For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca.co.uk and follow us on X @AstraZenecaUK.
References
1. World Health Organization. Global cancer burden growing, amidst mounting need for services. Available at: https://www.who.int/news/item/01-02-2024-global-cancer-burden-growing--amidst-mounting-need-for-services [Last accessed: November 2024].
2. Cancer Research UK. Lifetime risk of cancer. Estimate calculated by the Cancer Intelligence Team at Cancer Research UK, 2023. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/risk/lifetime-risk [Last accessed: November 2024]
3. Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer statistics in the UK. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/research/cancer-statistics-fact-sheet [Last accessed: November 2024].
Document number: GB-61335
Date of preparation: November 2024
