A “hidden” cancer crisis is leaving an estimated 1.7 million with cancer across the UK (51%) facing serious issues with everyday needs during one of the toughest times of their lives[1]. For many of those affected, support is hard to find or too far away, according to the charity that is on a mission to bring care closer to every home in the UK.
In London, 51% of those with cancer are struggling with the day-to-day impact of their diagnosis[2] – with support too often out of reach, Macmillan Cancer Support says.
Now, in what it calls the biggest shake-up in cancer care for a generation, the charity is launching a UK-wide ‘fair care mission’ to bring vital support into high streets and health hotspots to make it easier for people to get help where they already are.
It says bringing support closer to where people are in this way will not only improve people’s day-to-day lives, but also help ease pressure on overstretched NHS services, by enabling people to access help earlier and in more accessible ways.
At the heart of the plan, is a pledge to equip almost 50,000 more professionals across the UK with its renowned cancer expertise – nearly quadrupling its current number. Macmillan will provide training to around 5,000 additional healthcare professionals in clinical settings, alongside more than 40,000 frontline workers who regularly interact with people affected by cancer. This includes pharmacists such as those at Boots, physiotherapists, paramedics, dietitians, GP surgery staff and speech and language therapists. This will make it easier for people to access support closer to home.
Alongside this, the charity is working with local community groups and everyday businesses – from farmers’ and fishermen’s networks to banks, barbers and shops – to help spark conversations about cancer and connect more people to support where they already are.
Macmillan, which has been supporting people with cancer for more than 100 years, is also improving its free services and testing new ones to give people even more ways to get help, and in ways that fit their needs and busy lives.
Macmillan Cancer Support CEO, Gemma Peters, said: “We’re facing a hidden cancer crisis leaving people facing serious issues with everyday needs during one of the toughest times of their lives. Too often, people are left struggling to get the care and support they desperately need. Who you are, where you live, and how you communicate should never dictate your experience of cancer. But for too many people it still does. This isn’t fair.
“That’s why we’re on a mission to bring support closer to home. By investing in our services, training thousands more professionals and working with local communities and businesses, we’re making sure people with cancer get the support they need on their doorsteps. But we can’t do this alone. It will take healthcare professionals, partners, local communities and the support of the public to help us make sure everyone gets the care they deserve.”
The everyday needs that people with cancer in the UK are struggling with include issues such as how they are sleeping, how they look and feel, their ability to work and managing their finances.
The charity warns that this avoidable situation is set to worsen, with an estimated one million more people likely to face the same everyday struggle over the next 20 years as the number of people living with cancer is projected to rise sharply by 58% to 5.4 million in 2045[3].
It is already investing money in community projects across the UK, including Beauty of Support in London.
Here, Hairdresser and Beauty of Support community partner, Geillo explains how they’re involved.
“As a hairstylist in my local community, I see first-hand how important care, comfort and human connection can be. Whether it’s creating a calm environment, listening to clients, or helping someone feel more like themselves again, I believe small acts of care can make a real difference to people affected by cancer.”
Until now, Macmillan’s expert-led training has largely been focused on specialist roles such as clinical nurse specialists, with more than 11,000 Macmillan Professionals across the UK.
Under the new approach, known as Macmillan Membership, this will be opened up far more widely, giving a broader range of professionals on-demand access to guidance, wellbeing support and trusted resources to help them better support people living with cancer.
The move reflects both the growing number of people living with cancer in the UK and the reality that cancer can impact every part of your life, meaning support needs to come from a wider range of professionals.
Jamie Kerruish, Chief Healthcare Officer at Boots, has welcomed the move: “Having easy access to care on the high street can make a real difference for people living with cancer. Our Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Optometrists and No7 Beauty Advisors are trusted experts in their communities, and thanks to our long partnership with Macmillan, more than 4,000 of them are trained to offer support when people need it most. We’re proud of the part we’ve played in community cancer care over the years, and we welcome this push to make this support easier to reach for more people, in more places across the UK.”
Macmillan, which relies almost entirely on public donations to provide its essential services, is urging the public to donate today and join its mission to bring fair care closer to every home around the UK.
