Gemma Peters, CEO of Macmillan Cancer Support, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Only half of people receiving cancer treatment in England in 2025 said they had a care plan in place. That’s not a gap in paperwork. It’s a sign that too many people are facing the life-changing impact of cancer without the personalised support they deserve.
When someone hears the words ‘you have cancer’, their world changes instantly.
At that moment, people need more than excellent treatment. They need to feel listened to, supported and understood, with care that reflects their individual needs and circumstances.
The results from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey for England are a reminder that there is still a long way to go to improve people’s experience of cancer care.
The ambition set out in the National Cancer Plan for England was clear: everyone with cancer should have access to a personalised needs assessment and a plan to support their wider needs. Yet the data shows that too many people are still facing cancer without the support they need. Whether that’s help with the impact on their family, their work, their mental health or just everyday life.
The survey also shines a light on persistent inequalities. People from ethnically diverse communities, people who are LGBTQ+, and people living with disabilities or other long-term conditions continue to report poorer experiences of cancer care.
These are not just numbers. They represent people, families and communities who deserve better.
We know what needs to change. It’s now almost six months since the National Cancer Plan for England was published. We need to see commitments turn into action and make sure that everyone living with cancer gets the personalised, compassionate support they deserve.
The 2.8 million people living with cancer in England cannot wait.
Other posts featuring Gemma Peters on OncoDaily.