Experts and advocacy groups are calling for a transformative approach to dementia care, urging that it be treated with the same level of ambition and investment that has significantly improved cancer outcomes over the past five decades. At the Alzheimer’s Society’s annual conference, former national cancer director Sir Mike Richards emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among patients, clinicians, health service managers, researchers, charities, and policymakers to modernize dementia diagnosis and treatment.
Reflecting on his experience starting in cancer care 50 years ago, Sir Mike recalled the prevailing pessimism of the time, with many assuming cancer was invariably fatal. He highlighted that advances in cancer survival demonstrate the impact of sustained investment, leadership, and integrated care pathways. “Dementia deserves the same ambition that has transformed cancer care,” he said, urging momentum building in the field.
The Alzheimer’s Society and the King’s Fund have jointly called on the UK government to accelerate the introduction of promising new dementia drugs on the National Health Service (NHS) and to implement clear treatment and diagnosis pathways similar to those used in oncology. Currently, dementia remains the UK’s leading cause of death, yet its care framework has seen little progress, with patients often waiting extended periods for diagnosis and receiving minimal follow-up support.
A survey conducted by Alzheimer’s Society including 1,000 carers found that only a minority saw dementia care as better than cancer care, with approximately half reporting it as worse. Many caregivers compared the experiences directly, describing cancer treatment as urgent, well-structured, and supported with clear information from diagnosis through treatment. In contrast, dementia patients frequently face lengthy waits for diagnosis, and in many cases, are discharged with little more than informational leaflets.
Michelle Dyson, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society and a former Department of Health and Social Care director general, underscored the contrast in responses to the two diseases. “If you have cancer, you get a specific diagnosis, and there is a clear pathway that takes you through your care and treatment,” she said. “With dementia, it can be years before you get a diagnosis, and all too often, people are sent home with a leaflet and little else.” Dyson called for dementia care to benefit from clear targets, increased investment, accountable leadership, and prioritization similar to the cancer model.
John Teeling, 78, from Coventry, shared his personal experience of receiving both an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in his 60s and, later, a prostate cancer diagnosis. He recalled waiting weeks for support after his dementia diagnosis, which he described as feeling like being told to “go away and die.” In contrast, his cancer diagnosis was met with immediate assistance, including access to specialist nurses and timely referrals. “Cancer showed me what a joined-up diagnosis and support pathway can look like,” Teeling said. “Dementia should be no different.”
Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the King’s Fund, echoed these sentiments, noting the “remarkable transformation” in cancer outcomes in recent decades, contrasting sharply with dementia treatment approaches that remain “stuck in the 20th century.” The call to action includes appointment of a dedicated dementia tsar, targeted investment, and the establishment of national registries to monitor progress, all aimed at driving long-term systemic change in dementia care across the UK.