Macmillan Cancer Support launches nationwide plan to bring practical support closer to communities as cancer numbers projected to rise sharply
More than half of people living with cancer in London are facing serious difficulties with everyday needs during their diagnosis, according to new data published by Macmillan Cancer Support. The charity describes the situation as a hidden crisis affecting an estimated 1.7 million people across the UK.
The Scale of the Problem
Nationally, 51 percent of people living with cancer report struggling with day-to-day challenges directly linked to their diagnosis. In London, the figure mirrors the national average, with support described as frequently out of reach or too difficult to access.
The everyday difficulties people report include:
- Sleep disruption and fatigue management
- Changes to appearance and self-confidence
- Inability to continue working
- Financial hardship and debt
- Emotional and psychological wellbeing
Macmillan warns the situation is likely to deteriorate significantly. The number of people living with cancer in the UK is projected to rise by 58 percent over the next two decades, reaching an estimated 5.4 million by 2045. This would mean approximately one million additional people facing the same support gaps within a generation.
What Macmillan Is Doing
The charity has announced what it describes as the most significant transformation in its approach to cancer care in a generation — a UK-wide initiative called the Fair Care Mission.
The plan centers on expanding access to cancer support beyond specialist clinical settings and into communities, high streets, and everyday environments where people already spend time.
Training 50,000 Additional Professionals
At the core of the plan is a commitment to train nearly 50,000 additional professionals across the UK — close to quadrupling Macmillan’s current trained workforce of around 11,000 specialists.
The expanded training programme, known as Macmillan Membership, will cover:
- Around 5,000 additional healthcare professionals in clinical settings
- More than 40,000 frontline workers who regularly interact with people affected by cancer
Professionals being brought into the programme include pharmacists, physiotherapists, paramedics, dietitians, GP surgery staff, and speech and language therapists. The shift reflects recognition that cancer affects every aspect of a person’s life, requiring support from a wider range of professionals than clinical specialists alone.
Expanding Into High Streets and Communities
Alongside professional training, Macmillan is working with community organizations and businesses to create more opportunities for conversations about cancer and connect people to available support.
Partners involved in early community projects include pharmacy and health retailer Boots, whose pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and beauty advisors are already trained to offer support. More than 4,000 Boots staff currently hold Macmillan training across the UK.
Community partnerships also extend to barbers, hairdressers, banks, and local networks in sectors including farming and fishing — environments where trusted relationships already exist and conversations about health can happen naturally.
In London, a community initiative called Beauty of Support is already operating, connecting people affected by cancer with trained local professionals in familiar, accessible settings.
Why This Matters for NHS Pressure
Macmillan has framed the mission partly as a response to pressure on NHS services. By enabling people to access practical support earlier and in more accessible community settings, the charity argues that demand on overstretched health services can be reduced.
Early access to support — covering financial, emotional, and physical needs — is widely associated with better health outcomes and reduced dependency on acute care services.
London’s healthcare system faces particular pressure given population density, high living costs affecting patients’ financial resilience, and the additional complexity of serving a diverse multilingual population with varied cultural attitudes toward cancer and healthcare engagement.
For context on the wider pressures facing London’s public services, see recent reporting on the London housing crisis and efforts to address inequality across the capital.
Background: Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support has operated for more than 100 years and relies almost entirely on public donations to fund its services. The organization currently supports people with cancer through specialist nursing, financial guidance, emotional support, and information services.
The charity’s helpline is available on 0808 808 00 00 (free, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm).
Online support and resources are available at macmillan.org.uk.
