England has started giving people an injection that treats 15 cancers.

In a groundbreaking shift for cancer care, England has become the first country in Europe to offer cancer patients an injectable form of the immunotherapy drug nivolumab, known commercially as Opdivo.

The injection, which treats up to 15 types of cancer—including lung, bowel, and skin—takes just three to five minutes to administer compared to the traditional one-hour intravenous drip.

This swift treatment option is expected to benefit up to 15,000 patients a year and significantly ease hospital workloads, saving more than a year’s worth of treatment time annually.

The move marks a major step forward in the NHS’s drive to modernize cancer treatment. Approved by the MHRA, the injectable form works by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, offering a more convenient and equally effective alternative for thousands of patients. Experts say this innovation underscores the promise of a “golden age” in cancer research, with pressure now on the government to back continued reform and investment through its upcoming national cancer plan.