Over the past six years, I have worked alongside the SIA, NDRS, NHS England, our Cancer QOL Working Group and other NHS stakeholders to explore how national cancer datasets can be transformed into practical intelligence capable of supporting service improvement and patient outcomes. One of the most important findings has been that the National Cancer Quality of Life Survey provides far more insight than its title suggests. For years, the NHS has measured diagnosis and treatment well but has had limited visibility of what happens after treatment ends. Our Living with and Beyond Cancer Intelligence Programme uses national patient feedback to identify where cancer survivors continue to experience challenges such as pain, fatigue, frailty, loss of independence and emotional distress. We convert this intelligence into practical briefing documents that help NHS organisations target support, improve outcomes, and focus resources where they can make the greatest difference. The programme is now designed to support, LWBC, better targeting of personalised care services, Earlier identification of support needs, Reduced avoidable deterioration, Improved survivorship support, more informed service planning, and better use of limited resources.

Whilst commonly viewed as a quality-of-life survey, the majority of responses actually relate to the day-to-day experiences of people living with and beyond cancer, including:

• Pain and discomfort
• Fatigue
• Anxiety and emotional wellbeing
• Mobility and independence
• Daily activities
• Frailty
• Long-term consequences of treatment
• Ongoing support requirements

The programme has therefore evolved into a broader Living With and Beyond Cancer (LWBC) Intelligence Programme.