Wes Streeting calls for ‘the biggest revolution in NHS history’ at Macmillan World Cancer Day event
This morning, leading cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support hosted a special event with Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting and esteemed broadcaster Nick Robinson, a long-standing supporter of Macmillan, in Westminster, with the presenter putting the Secretary of State through his paces in a 40-minute-long interview.
The event, to mark World Cancer Day (Tuesday 4th February), saw over 150 members of the cancer community come together — with hundreds more tuning in online — to ask crucial questions and share their unique experiences in a bid to shape the future of cancer care, on the day the Government announces a call to evidence for its upcoming Cancer Plan.
Nick Robinson introduced the conversation by addressing the urgent need for Government to transform NHS cancer care; “We need to see a huge step change in the care people with cancer are receiving across the UK.
The Secretary of State responded that “There are many reasons to be optimistic when it comes to cancer care in the UK, but we must face the fact that the NHS is in the worst crisis it has faced in its history.
“Cancer has always been a canary in the coalmine for the NHS; when the health service is performing well, it’s reflected in the quality of care people with cancer receive. That is far from the case right now and we need to kick start the biggest revolution in NHS history to get this right.”
Later in the interview, the Secretary of State revealed that, “Today, we’re announcing a call for evidence for the National Cancer Plan. The Government can’t do this alone, we need to work closely with people living with cancer, local community groups, and voluntary sector organisations as real partners in this process, to ensure we’re shaping the services with and for the people they are here to support.”
He also committed to tackling what Macmillan has dubbed the ‘unacceptable cancer care gap’ in experiences of cancer treatment, stating that, “As a priority, we need to close the gaps in care and address the very real health inequities that people with cancer are facing across the country. We also need to cut down waiting times. I’ve spoken to people who’ve suffered far worse outcomes because of their diagnosis being missed, or coming too late, this is unacceptable.”
Recent analysis by Macmillan shows that the number of people living with cancer in the UK is rising, and for many, things are getting worse, creating unacceptable gaps in care[1]. The Cancer Plan has the potential to revolutionise the experience of cancer for millions of people across England, and this event has played a vital role in helping to ensure that a diverse range of voices of those with lived experience are at the heart of this plan.
Those in attendance included people living with cancer, professionals, and community partners such as the Fishermen’s Mission and the Can You C Me? project, who met face to face to ask questions about cancer care in their communities and share experiences directly with Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting.
Addressing the room of over 150 people from the cancer community who were part of the conversation, Nick Robinson said, “Never devalue your experiences, never devalue what you know, your experiences are what will stay with the Health Secretary next week and beyond.”
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Every day we see the impact that cancer is having on people’s lives, whether it’s anxiety around waiting for tests and treatment, or dealing with the devasting impact a diagnosis can have on family life, jobs and relationships. This experience is even worse for some people because of who they are or where they live. This is entirely unacceptable.
“The development of the new Cancer Plan for England is an opportunity to revolutionise cancer care for everyone, now and for the future. We share the Government’s ambition for world class cancer care but know it will only be possible if we can harness the experiences and expertise of people living with cancer, professionals and community partners in new ways.”
Saliha Ahmed, Cancer Health Inequity Manager for the Macmillan Cancer Champions project at Caafi Health, works with ethnically diverse communities in Bristol.
She said: “This conversation is incredibly important because we want to directly address the significant gaps in cancer awareness and knowledge across diverse communities. One of the biggest challenges in cancer care today is the spread of myths and misinformation, particularly in communities where accurate health information is lacking. This often leads individuals to turn to alternative treatments, such as prayer or unverified home remedies, instead of seeking medical help. To overcome these challenges, it’s crucial to have culturally sensitive approaches, long-term community engagement, and better policies that actively address these inequalities and foster fairer outcomes for all.”
You can tune into the event here and listen to Nick Robinson’s full interview with the Health Secretary.
Macmillan is calling on the Government to work in partnership with the charity and its trusted partners to revolutionise cancer care now and for the future so more people with cancer get the best care England has to offer, whoever and wherever they are.
For information, support or just someone to talk to, call Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk/whateveryouneed
Storyteller quotes
Nicola Boyd, from South London, found out she had cancer in 2023 after receiving a piece of paper containing layers of clinical jargon that were not explained to her. Only after googling did she realise she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She said: “My experience has been such a whirlwind of emotions, decisions, adapting and learning. I’ve had so many tests, PET scans, MRIs, echo scans, blood tests and having my eggs frozen. I was told it could be stage four and there may be nothing they can do, then tests confirmed it wasn’t.
“I was put under immense pressure to have treatment I was unsure of, had a port put in, had treatment; hospitalised after treatment with sepsis. I was told I needed nine rounds of chemo, but my lump disappeared after one. I was still pushed to do more treatment then was needed, than was told it wasn’t necessary. I had surgery, and lymph nodes removed, only to be told it might not have been necessary and pushed to do more treatment. It’s so hard to advocate for yourself when you are unclear what things mean, and if you have specific needs. I was lucky that my medical team eventually got to know me and understand that it’s not one size fits all when it comes to cancer treatment.”
Nicola believes there needs to be a more holistic approach to diagnoses and treatment plans, and greater empathy and support. “Everybody is different. There are so many factors that I feel aren’t considered when you’re diagnosed with cancer. I don’t want to just be pushed or boxed into a certain direction — this is my life, actually, this is my mortality.”
Community partner quotes
Saffron Hanson, Programme Manager for the Can You C Me? project, was one of the community partners at the event. She works directly with ethnically diverse communities across South West London to improve access, awareness, and equity in cancer care.
She said: “We continue to see disparities in cancer outcomes and experiences, particularly within BME communities who often face cultural, language, and systemic barriers when trying to access support. Many individuals we support feel overlooked or unheard in healthcare settings, making it essential that policies and services are shaped by those with lived experience to drive meaningful change. It’s essential that the discussion around the new Cancer Plan for England reflects the lived experiences of diverse communities, particularly those who face the greatest barriers to accessing care.”
Deb Johnstone is the Cancer Community Programme Manager for The Fishermen’s Mission and is working closely with Macmillan Cancer Support.
Speaking about the event, she said: “The fishing community face numerous barriers when it comes to accessing cancer care, such as being unable to attend early screening and treatment appointments due to the demanding schedule dictated by their work at sea. Traditional mindsets, along with fear and stoicism, have led fishermen to neglect their own health and avoid addressing signs and symptoms of cancer when they arise. The community is often also unaware of diagnosis and aftercare services available to them and their families.
“The project has already brought a range of cancer services to the quayside. However, raising awareness of the barriers that this community face will further the conversation and bring partners together to look at new ways of working, encourage early cancer screening and create personalised cancer care.”
The event brought together people from different communities across the UK, many of whom have reported poorer experiences when it comes to cancer care, such as ethnically diverse communities and the LGBTQ+ community.
For example, recent Macmillan analysis of NHS data found that people with cancer in England who are Black, LGBTQ+, autistic or have other long-term health conditions or a learning disability, are all significantly less likely to get the support they need with their health and wellbeing while receiving hospital treatment. They also face more barriers when it comes to involving their friends or families in their care[2].
About Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support has spent more than 100 years helping people living with cancer. We know that cancer can disrupt your whole life.
And it can be made worse simply because of who you are and where you live.
But we’re here to change that.
The number of people diagnosed with cancer is growing, and every one of them needs the best support to meet their unique needs.
That’s why we’ll do whatever it takes to help everyone living with cancer across the UK get the support they need right now and transform cancer care for everyone who will be diagnosed in the future.
References
[1] Macmillan Cancer Support. Number of people with cancer in the UK reaches record high of almost 3.5 million. January 2025
[2] Macmillan Cancer Support analysis of the 2023 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey for England. Refers to the following questions:
- Q12: When you were first told that you had cancer, had you been given the option of having a family member, carer or friend with you while being told?
- Q22: Were your family and/or carers able to be involved as much as you wanted them to be in decisions about your treatment options?
- Q28: Do you feel you got the right amount of support with your overall health and well being from hospital staff?