Matt Sample
@mattsample.bsky.social
Snr Health Policy Manager at Cancer Research UK | All views my own, RT/likes ≠ endorsements (he/him) 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Matt Sample
Every moment counts in the fight against cancer. Our new report reveals that clinical trials are taking too long, with median set-up times rising to 20 months.
We’re investing £200 million over five years for 80,000 participants, but we must reform the system. Read the report: cruk.ink/3IReTE5
We’re investing £200 million over five years for 80,000 participants, but we must reform the system. Read the report: cruk.ink/3IReTE5
August 5, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Every moment counts in the fight against cancer. Our new report reveals that clinical trials are taking too long, with median set-up times rising to 20 months.
We’re investing £200 million over five years for 80,000 participants, but we must reform the system. Read the report: cruk.ink/3IReTE5
We’re investing £200 million over five years for 80,000 participants, but we must reform the system. Read the report: cruk.ink/3IReTE5
A mammoth task for me and @crukpolicy.bsky.social colleagues over the last day to get our heads around the 10 Year Health Plan - the good, the gaps, and what's now needed in the upcoming National Cancer Plan.
If you're wondering what the 10YHP could mean for cancer, take a look ⬇️
If you're wondering what the 10YHP could mean for cancer, take a look ⬇️
Yesterday, the UK Government published its 10 Year Health Plan, aiming to reform the NHS over the next decade.
⬇️ for what it means for cancer, and what needs to come next in the National Cancer Plan 1/
⬇️ for what it means for cancer, and what needs to come next in the National Cancer Plan 1/
July 4, 2025 at 3:06 PM
A mammoth task for me and @crukpolicy.bsky.social colleagues over the last day to get our heads around the 10 Year Health Plan - the good, the gaps, and what's now needed in the upcoming National Cancer Plan.
If you're wondering what the 10YHP could mean for cancer, take a look ⬇️
If you're wondering what the 10YHP could mean for cancer, take a look ⬇️
Reposted by Matt Sample
1/ With the publication of the 10 Year Health Plan for England imminent, we’ve set out three key steps the plan must take to deliver for cancer. 👇
July 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
1/ With the publication of the 10 Year Health Plan for England imminent, we’ve set out three key steps the plan must take to deliver for cancer. 👇
Reposted by Matt Sample
A new economic analysis by Cancer Research UK shows that the UK economy loses £10.3bn to cancer deaths each year in lost productivity – more than any other health condition.
June 27, 2025 at 12:28 PM
A new economic analysis by Cancer Research UK shows that the UK economy loses £10.3bn to cancer deaths each year in lost productivity – more than any other health condition.
Reposted by Matt Sample
Last week we shared our analysis of the latest cancer waiting times data for England - showing that despite progress, many patients still face long waits before starting treatment ⏰
👇Click below to read our full blog👇
👇Click below to read our full blog👇
With today's cancer waiting times data showing progress against some targets but not all, it's crucial that the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan and National Cancer Plan are a turning point for cancer.
🧐Read our analysis here: bit.ly/45gs3DH
🧐Read our analysis here: bit.ly/45gs3DH
Cancer waiting times: Latest updates and analysis
Get the latest updates on cancer waiting times in England, and what it means for people with cancer, from Cancer Research UK
bit.ly
June 20, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Last week we shared our analysis of the latest cancer waiting times data for England - showing that despite progress, many patients still face long waits before starting treatment ⏰
👇Click below to read our full blog👇
👇Click below to read our full blog👇
Reposted by Matt Sample
Good to hear @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social speaking with such ambition for cancer at #NHSConfedExpo
"you get that right for cancer, you don't solve all the problems in the NHS, but you create a whopping big rising tide that lifts all ships across the health service"
"you get that right for cancer, you don't solve all the problems in the NHS, but you create a whopping big rising tide that lifts all ships across the health service"
June 13, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Good to hear @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social speaking with such ambition for cancer at #NHSConfedExpo
"you get that right for cancer, you don't solve all the problems in the NHS, but you create a whopping big rising tide that lifts all ships across the health service"
"you get that right for cancer, you don't solve all the problems in the NHS, but you create a whopping big rising tide that lifts all ships across the health service"
Reposted by Matt Sample
⏰Latest data from NHS England shows that despite the best efforts of NHS staff, patients continue to wait far too long before starting treatment.
bit.ly/4keNzgg
bit.ly/4keNzgg
Cancer waiting times: Latest updates and analysis
Get the latest updates on cancer waiting times in England, and what it means for people with cancer, from Cancer Research UK
bit.ly
May 15, 2025 at 4:45 PM
⏰Latest data from NHS England shows that despite the best efforts of NHS staff, patients continue to wait far too long before starting treatment.
bit.ly/4keNzgg
bit.ly/4keNzgg
Reposted by Matt Sample
1/🚭 CRUK-funded research from @stir.ac.uk is out! It explores the factors that affect the accessibility of vapes, like packaging, displays, flavours & retail environment. The Tobacco & Vapes Bill, if implemented, would enable the UK Govt to take action in these areas.
Prevention Policy Research
Commissions and conducts translatable research on lifestyles and behaviours that are associated with cancer which supports policies to prevent cancer.
www.cancerresearchuk.org
May 6, 2025 at 1:55 PM
1/🚭 CRUK-funded research from @stir.ac.uk is out! It explores the factors that affect the accessibility of vapes, like packaging, displays, flavours & retail environment. The Tobacco & Vapes Bill, if implemented, would enable the UK Govt to take action in these areas.
Pleasure to work with @crukpolicy.bsky.social colleagues to develop our proposals to the upcoming National Cancer Plan - a once in a decade opportunity to close the gap between England and the best in the world on cancer survival
The upcoming National Cancer Plan could be a #TurningPointForCancer, delivering the change people affected by cancer deserve.
We’ve set out the actions that will deliver that change in our response to the UK Govt call for evidence 👇
cancerresearchuk.org/sites/defaul...
We’ve set out the actions that will deliver that change in our response to the UK Govt call for evidence 👇
cancerresearchuk.org/sites/defaul...
April 30, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Pleasure to work with @crukpolicy.bsky.social colleagues to develop our proposals to the upcoming National Cancer Plan - a once in a decade opportunity to close the gap between England and the best in the world on cancer survival
Reposted by Matt Sample
Last night @itvnews.bsky.social broadcast a programme on the rising number of young people being diagnosed with bowel cancer. A great opportunity to discuss this worrying trend & how more research is needed to uncover causes of early onset cancers so we can help develop strategies to prevent them.
April 4, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Last night @itvnews.bsky.social broadcast a programme on the rising number of young people being diagnosed with bowel cancer. A great opportunity to discuss this worrying trend & how more research is needed to uncover causes of early onset cancers so we can help develop strategies to prevent them.
Great from @crukpolicy.bsky.social colleague Ben Jones on data's power to boost research, support AI tech & improve cancer outcomes.
To unlock the full potential, we need to safely improve data access and availability for research, & ensure public trust.
news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/03/19/i...
To unlock the full potential, we need to safely improve data access and availability for research, & ensure public trust.
news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/03/19/i...
Early warnings, better outcomes: Getting the infrastructure right to unlock data for cancer detection - Cancer Research UK - Cancer News
We explore the changes needed to the UK’s health data infrastructure get the most out of data-driven programmes like CD3.
news.cancerresearchuk.org
March 19, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Great from @crukpolicy.bsky.social colleague Ben Jones on data's power to boost research, support AI tech & improve cancer outcomes.
To unlock the full potential, we need to safely improve data access and availability for research, & ensure public trust.
news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/03/19/i...
To unlock the full potential, we need to safely improve data access and availability for research, & ensure public trust.
news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/03/19/i...
Reposted by Matt Sample
Clusters are key to boosting UK R&D activity, driving growth and most importantly helping us reach our mission of beating cancer sooner.
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
https://bit.ly/4kKS2Ix⬇️
March 12, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Clusters are key to boosting UK R&D activity, driving growth and most importantly helping us reach our mission of beating cancer sooner.
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
Our latest report highlights how UK, devolved and local governments can develop more world-class research clusters. bit.ly/4kKS2Ix%E2%A...
Reposted by Matt Sample
💥An INCREDIBLE 200k was raised for Cancer Research UK yesterday :)
It’s a do called ‘Turn The Tables’ - where politicians interview journalists for a change
Foreign Secretary David Lammy chatted to me, & Dame Priti Patel chatted to Krishnan Guru Murthy
It’s a do called ‘Turn The Tables’ - where politicians interview journalists for a change
Foreign Secretary David Lammy chatted to me, & Dame Priti Patel chatted to Krishnan Guru Murthy
March 4, 2025 at 11:16 AM
💥An INCREDIBLE 200k was raised for Cancer Research UK yesterday :)
It’s a do called ‘Turn The Tables’ - where politicians interview journalists for a change
Foreign Secretary David Lammy chatted to me, & Dame Priti Patel chatted to Krishnan Guru Murthy
It’s a do called ‘Turn The Tables’ - where politicians interview journalists for a change
Foreign Secretary David Lammy chatted to me, & Dame Priti Patel chatted to Krishnan Guru Murthy
Pleased to say that @crukpolicy.bsky.social has joined Bluesky!
It's far from a comprehensive summary of everything my team does, but here's a flavour of what we've been thinking about and working on in Health Policy here at @cancerresearchuk.org lately
It's far from a comprehensive summary of everything my team does, but here's a flavour of what we've been thinking about and working on in Health Policy here at @cancerresearchuk.org lately
[1/5] Today, we’re spotlighting our health policy work. We work hard to improve cancer care for patients across the UK through policy change, working across screening and early diagnosis, treatment, cancer services capacity, innovation and inequalities.
March 4, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Pleased to say that @crukpolicy.bsky.social has joined Bluesky!
It's far from a comprehensive summary of everything my team does, but here's a flavour of what we've been thinking about and working on in Health Policy here at @cancerresearchuk.org lately
It's far from a comprehensive summary of everything my team does, but here's a flavour of what we've been thinking about and working on in Health Policy here at @cancerresearchuk.org lately
Reposted by Matt Sample
Research today from Cancer Research UK suggests cancer death rates are 60% higher for people living in the most deprived areas of the UK compared with those in more affluent areas
February 21, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Research today from Cancer Research UK suggests cancer death rates are 60% higher for people living in the most deprived areas of the UK compared with those in more affluent areas
With new data showing almost 75k people waited +62 days to begin cancer treatment in 2024, an important clarion call from over 50 cancer charities including @cancerresearchuk.org to ensure the long-needed and welcome National Cancer Plan is backed with the £ needed to improve cancer care 1/3
@cancerresearchuk.org is speaking with #OneCancerVoice in signing this joint letter to The Times with 50+ colleagues across the cancer community
We welcome and support Wes Streeting's cancer plan - a significant step forward. If it is to deliver, then it must be a plan backed with funding
We welcome and support Wes Streeting's cancer plan - a significant step forward. If it is to deliver, then it must be a plan backed with funding
February 13, 2025 at 5:06 PM
With new data showing almost 75k people waited +62 days to begin cancer treatment in 2024, an important clarion call from over 50 cancer charities including @cancerresearchuk.org to ensure the long-needed and welcome National Cancer Plan is backed with the £ needed to improve cancer care 1/3
Reposted by Matt Sample
@cancerresearchuk.org is speaking with #OneCancerVoice in signing this joint letter to The Times with 50+ colleagues across the cancer community
We welcome and support Wes Streeting's cancer plan - a significant step forward. If it is to deliver, then it must be a plan backed with funding
We welcome and support Wes Streeting's cancer plan - a significant step forward. If it is to deliver, then it must be a plan backed with funding
February 13, 2025 at 8:30 AM
@cancerresearchuk.org is speaking with #OneCancerVoice in signing this joint letter to The Times with 50+ colleagues across the cancer community
We welcome and support Wes Streeting's cancer plan - a significant step forward. If it is to deliver, then it must be a plan backed with funding
We welcome and support Wes Streeting's cancer plan - a significant step forward. If it is to deliver, then it must be a plan backed with funding
Reposted by Matt Sample
Today is International Day of Women & Girls in Science.
Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of science & health & continue to inspire generations of scientists & innovators. 🔬 #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM
Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of science & health & continue to inspire generations of scientists & innovators. 🔬 #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM
February 11, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Today is International Day of Women & Girls in Science.
Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of science & health & continue to inspire generations of scientists & innovators. 🔬 #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM
Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of science & health & continue to inspire generations of scientists & innovators. 🔬 #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM
Reposted by Matt Sample
On #WorldCancerDay, we welcome the UK government's commitment to publishing a National Cancer Plan for England this year and we look forward to working with them to make sure it delivers for everyone affected by cancer.
#TurningPointForCancer
#TurningPointForCancer
February 4, 2025 at 12:17 PM
On #WorldCancerDay, we welcome the UK government's commitment to publishing a National Cancer Plan for England this year and we look forward to working with them to make sure it delivers for everyone affected by cancer.
#TurningPointForCancer
#TurningPointForCancer
If true, an important & welcome recommitment to cancer recovery from govt.
Cancer targets are there to get people into treatment w least risk of disease progression while they're waiting on the pathway. I understand the wider drive to reduce priorities, but cancer can't not make the cut.
Cancer targets are there to get people into treatment w least risk of disease progression while they're waiting on the pathway. I understand the wider drive to reduce priorities, but cancer can't not make the cut.
"An interim cancer target will be toughened, the NHS told that 75% of patients should start treatment within 2 months of referral, up from 70% this year. The official target is 85%, & the most recent figures showed 68%of patients within the target time"
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
Wes Streeting to scrap half of NHS targets to focus on waiting lists
The health secretary will announce a range of measures to reduce emergency department waiting times and treatment delays to cut excess deaths
www.thetimes.com
January 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
If true, an important & welcome recommitment to cancer recovery from govt.
Cancer targets are there to get people into treatment w least risk of disease progression while they're waiting on the pathway. I understand the wider drive to reduce priorities, but cancer can't not make the cut.
Cancer targets are there to get people into treatment w least risk of disease progression while they're waiting on the pathway. I understand the wider drive to reduce priorities, but cancer can't not make the cut.
Reposted by Matt Sample
Everyone aged 50 and 52 in England is now set to receive an at-home bowel cancer screening test
The expansion means around 850,000 extra people a year are now eligible for screening, which helps detect bowel cancer before symptoms start.
Find out more below 👇
The expansion means around 850,000 extra people a year are now eligible for screening, which helps detect bowel cancer before symptoms start.
Find out more below 👇
NHS England starts sending bowel cancer screening tests to over-50s - Cancer Research UK - Cancer News
Everyone aged between 50 and 52 in England is now set to receive an at-home bowel cancer screening (FIT) test.
news.cancerresearchuk.org
January 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Everyone aged 50 and 52 in England is now set to receive an at-home bowel cancer screening test
The expansion means around 850,000 extra people a year are now eligible for screening, which helps detect bowel cancer before symptoms start.
Find out more below 👇
The expansion means around 850,000 extra people a year are now eligible for screening, which helps detect bowel cancer before symptoms start.
Find out more below 👇
Reposted by Matt Sample
We should not be diluting our ambitions on cancer
"Cancer waits are also being discussed, with question marks over whether the NHS will maintain an interim target for 70 per cent of patients to start treatment within two months of a referral"
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
"Cancer waits are also being discussed, with question marks over whether the NHS will maintain an interim target for 70 per cent of patients to start treatment within two months of a referral"
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Wes Streeting rejects NHS plan to water down A&E targets
The health secretary has insisted on retaining the goal of 78 per cent of A&E patients being seen within four hours as well as PM’s promise of more routine operations
www.thetimes.com
January 9, 2025 at 10:16 AM
We should not be diluting our ambitions on cancer
"Cancer waits are also being discussed, with question marks over whether the NHS will maintain an interim target for 70 per cent of patients to start treatment within two months of a referral"
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
"Cancer waits are also being discussed, with question marks over whether the NHS will maintain an interim target for 70 per cent of patients to start treatment within two months of a referral"
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Matt Sample
Our 2024 Wrapped! 🧪
- £173m awarded to our Cambridge Institute, @cruk-ci.bsky.social
- £58.7m to train clinician scientists
- 120,000+ people being recruited for the capsule sponge screening trial
- 3 cancer prevention vaccine projects
Read more about our progress this year 👇 cruk.ink/4iLz3ws
- £173m awarded to our Cambridge Institute, @cruk-ci.bsky.social
- £58.7m to train clinician scientists
- 120,000+ people being recruited for the capsule sponge screening trial
- 3 cancer prevention vaccine projects
Read more about our progress this year 👇 cruk.ink/4iLz3ws
Getting ahead of cancer: our 2024 research highlights - Cancer Research UK - Cancer News
To end the year, we want to highlight some of our biggest stories of 2024, including big advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
cruk.ink
December 19, 2024 at 10:01 AM
Our 2024 Wrapped! 🧪
- £173m awarded to our Cambridge Institute, @cruk-ci.bsky.social
- £58.7m to train clinician scientists
- 120,000+ people being recruited for the capsule sponge screening trial
- 3 cancer prevention vaccine projects
Read more about our progress this year 👇 cruk.ink/4iLz3ws
- £173m awarded to our Cambridge Institute, @cruk-ci.bsky.social
- £58.7m to train clinician scientists
- 120,000+ people being recruited for the capsule sponge screening trial
- 3 cancer prevention vaccine projects
Read more about our progress this year 👇 cruk.ink/4iLz3ws
Reposted by Matt Sample
The genomic revolution has the potential to transform cancer care 🔬
NHS specialists play a crucial role in cancer care, and expanding the NHS workforce and integrating scientists into care teams is key to unlocking the potential of genomics 👇 cruk.ink/4goGNmD
NHS specialists play a crucial role in cancer care, and expanding the NHS workforce and integrating scientists into care teams is key to unlocking the potential of genomics 👇 cruk.ink/4goGNmD
What role can NHS scientists play in delivering the genomic revolution? - Cancer Research UK - Cancer News
David Wells on building an NHS workforce ready for genomic medicine, which is rapidly changing how we understand, diagnose and treat cancer.
cruk.ink
December 17, 2024 at 11:45 AM
The genomic revolution has the potential to transform cancer care 🔬
NHS specialists play a crucial role in cancer care, and expanding the NHS workforce and integrating scientists into care teams is key to unlocking the potential of genomics 👇 cruk.ink/4goGNmD
NHS specialists play a crucial role in cancer care, and expanding the NHS workforce and integrating scientists into care teams is key to unlocking the potential of genomics 👇 cruk.ink/4goGNmD