Alzheimer’s Society and The King’s Fund call for ‘cancer style’ revolution for dementia
The Alzheimer’s Society and The King’s Fund are calling for a ‘cancer style’ revolution for dementia.
The two organisations have joined forces to set out steps that the Government, NHS and social care leaders must take to ensure dementia makes the same progress as cancer in diagnosis, treatment, care and support.
Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund, says:
“There was a time when cancer was thought of as a death sentence, frequently referred to as the ‘Big C’, such was the fear around a diagnosis. Whilst still a major killer claiming far too many lives, many people are living well after cancer and there has been a remarkable transformation in cancer outcomes in a relatively short space of time.
The same cannot be said for dementia care, with approaches to treatment still stuck in the 20th century. There is ambition that this might be about to change, with recent major scientific advancements giving hope that dementia treatment is on the cusp of a cancer-style revolution.
We will only be able to fulfil this potential if the health and care system is ready to diagnose dementia swiftly and roll out new innovations at scale. That is currently far from the case, and we believe that lessons can be learnt from the progress made in cancer.”
Michelle Dyson, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society, says:
“I know first-hand, as a former Director General in the Department of Health and Social Care, what happens when something is made a priority, with proper targets, investment, leadership and accountability. We desperately need this for dementia.
Urgency is critical. Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and we cannot afford for this to take 50 years. Government must make dementia a priority and learn what it can from cancer to create a future where dementia no longer devastates lives.”
Read more from The King’s Fund here: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/long-reads/cancer-blueprint-improving-dementia-care
Read more from The Alzheimer’s Society here: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/news/2026-09-17/calling-cancer-style-revolution-dementia-care