New UK wide service to launch
Keeping pace with the future need
Every 75 seconds someone in the UK will be told “you have cancer”i. For many, a diagnosis triggers a wave of concerns that reach far beyond health - from job security and the financial strain of treatment to the emotional impact on a loved one.
Combine this with the fact that by 2045 there could be as many as 5.4 million people living with cancer in the UK – a 58% rise on where we are todayii and the need to evolve our services to keep pace with current and future demand becomes clear. We must ensure that everyone has access to the support they need.
Our vision
This summer, we are launching a new service that will offer local financial and wellbeing support to people living with cancer in every part of the UK. We know that cancer can disrupt every part of your life, and our new service is designed to acknowledge that reality. Our vision is for everyone to feel surrounded by a strong safety net, made up of local organisations that understand their specific communities and can provide support with every aspect of their daily lives.
Local support
The new service will be delivered in partnership with local organisations and will be open to anyone affected by cancer in the area, providing support that’s built around a person’s individual needs.Some people face additional barriers or vulnerabilities that make it harder to access help. This might mean extra support for those with caring responsibilities, or it could be tailored assistance for disabled people in navigating complex forms.
Because everyone’s situation is unique, the support will be shaped around how cancer is affecting their life, ensuring the advice given truly reflects their needs.
Support for people living with cancer
While we develop this kind of local support, the Macmillan Support Line remains open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Anyone who is affected by cancer can
- Call for free on 0808 808 00 00
- Chat to our specialists online
There is also the Macmillan Online Community, a free online place for people living with or who are affected by cancer to chat about the issues affecting them. It's free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For local cancer support services, people can search by postcode to find Macmillan services in their area, from cancer information centres to welfare and benefit advice services. They will also find self-help and support groups across the UK.
We also have detailed cancer information on our website. People can find trusted information about different types of cancer, including diagnosis, treatments and drugs, as well as advice to help with the different ways cancer may impact your life.
References
- [i] 75 second figure derived from the sources below. Figures include all malignant neoplasms excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (ICD-10 codes C00-97 excl. C44. Scotland does not use C97): NHS England - Public Health Scotland - Public Health Wales - Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen’s University Belfast.
- [ii] Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer prevalence in the UK could increase by 58% by 2045, new Macmillan Cancer Support and Scottish Widows report suggests. February 2026
About the author
Steven McIntosh
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