Many people diagnosed with cancer “should have confidence that it is no longer a death sentence and that more treatment options will continue to emerge,” said the outgoing Medical Director of NHS England, according to Sky News.

In his final interview before retirement, Professor Sir Stephen Powis emphasized that our understanding of cancer genetics and the potential for targeted treatments is undergoing a revolution.

Sir Stephen, a 64-year-old nephrologist and the national medical director since 2018—including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic—told The Times: “We are on the brink of a golden age in the treatment of various types of cancer. For many of them, people should now feel confident that this is not a death sentence and that new therapies will continue to emerge.”

He expressed confidence that the number of patients living longer with the disease—or even fully overcoming it—will continue to rise. Professor Powis likened the current progress in cancer treatment to the advances made in managing HIV since he began his medical career 40 years ago. | BGNES