More than 64,000 people responded to the 2025 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, giving an average score of 8.92 out of 10.
Health minister Sharon Hodgson said: ‘This important survey shows that thousands of cancer patients continue to receive high-quality care from the NHS, and highlights where there is more work to do.
‘We are determined to ensure that every single patient gets the high standard of care they deserve and that their loved ones and carers get the right support, too.
‘These findings will help inform future improvements as we put our National Cancer Plan into action.'
A record 700,000 treatments were carried out in the year to May - almost 2,000 every day on average.
More than nine in ten patients (91.4%) said they had a main point of contact within their care team, while 95.6% of those who received advice from that person found it helpful.
More than nine in ten said they received all the information they needed before a diagnostic test, while 94.6% said they were always given enough privacy when receiving their results.
The main areas of improvement for patients related to communication or sharing information, with more patients receiving clear information about what to do after leaving hospital, rising from 87.3% to 88.4%, and more saying someone close to them could speak to their hospital team, up from 70.8% to 72.1%.
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Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for Cancer said: ‘NHS teams are seeing and treating record numbers of patients for cancer, so it is hugely encouraging that patients continue to rate their care nearly 9 out of 10.
‘Being diagnosed with cancer is incredibly difficult, and these results are testament to staff who make sure patients receive clear information, have their privacy respected and know there is someone they can turn to.
‘We always want to go further for patients, and we know there is more we can do to ensure every patient receives the same high-quality experience. Our National Cancer Plan will see every patient receiving personalised support before, during and after treatment.'
Jenny King, Picker's chief research officer, said: ‘It is encouraging to see sustained improvements in how those closest to patients are supported and involved in care. Families and carers often play a vital role in helping people navigate treatment, make decisions and manage care at home.
‘At the same time, the findings highlight opportunities to improve support in other areas, including emotional support after treatment, which plays an important role in helping people adjust and maintain wellbeing during the transition from hospital.'
Jules Worrall, chief executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said: ‘The National Cancer Plan recognises this age group [young people] can face some of the longest waits, and it committed to taking action to ensure that young people are diagnosed faster. It is now vital that promises made in the plan are delivered.
‘To help achieve this, there needs to be better support for healthcare professionals to spot cancer in young people, and more age-specific data collected and published to understand where improvements are needed.
‘The commitments made in the Plan need to be turned into real change for young people with cancer.'
