Macmillan Support Line

Free and confidential support to people living with cancer, family and friends. We can talk about whatever matters to you. 

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The Macmillan Support Line is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
0808 808 00 00

How our support line can help you

Whether you have just been diagnosed, are having treatment, are supporting someone with cancer, or have questions about life after treatment, we are here to help.

In 2025, around 90,000 people affected by cancer were supported by the Macmillan Support Line.

"I rang the Macmillan Support Line when I needed emotional support, I just needed someone who was far removed from me emotionally. ...I wasn't made to feel a nuisance, nobody rushed me. It really did help me." Kathy

Our trained advisers, including cancer information specialist nurses can provide emotional support and practical information about all aspects of cancer.

You can talk to us about:

Booklets and resources

A woman with dark hair and a red dress smiling at the camera
Stories
 19 May 2026
Kathy's story - living with the late effects of radiotherapy
Kathy talks about living with the late effects of radiotherapy, how she manages her health, and the volunteer...

How to contact a Macmillan adviser

You can contact us online or over the phone.

  • Chat online. Look for the 'chat to us' button on our website.
  • Call free on 0808 808 00 00 to speak to our trained advisers. Available 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
  • Email us. Use our online form and we will respond within 2 working days.
  • Request a callback: Leave your number and we will ring you back during opening hours

Financial support

Our money advisers can help you access benefits and financial support you may be entitled to.

In 2025, the team identified £112 million in potential welfare benefits for around 13,200 people affected by cancer.  

Available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

How do I get support if the helpline is closed?

We know that there can be times that you might need information and support when the Macmillan Support Line is closed.

What to do in an emergency

If you need emergency medical help you should talk to your doctor immediately, call 999 or go to your local hospital’s A&E department. They will understand and are trained to help.

You can also call Samaritans for free anytime on 116 123

Need support in a different way? 

We can help make it easier for you to get in touch.

Interpreter support 

If you prefer to speak to us in another language, interpreters are available. Just state, in English, the language you want to use.

British Sign Language (BSL) calls

You can ask for a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter video call to be set up if you need further assistance.

You can do this by emailing us or chatting with us to arrange a BSL interpreter call to be set up. Or you can have a hearing person you trust call the support line on your behalf. 

You will need to have access to a computer or phone with a good internet connection. 

For non-BSL users, you can chat online with cancer information specialists everyday, from 8am-7.45pm.

You can make text relay calls by dialling 18001 followed by 0808 808 0000. The Relay UK app is also available to download on Google Play or App Store. 

Other ways we can help

  • Keeping people safe
    It is important that the people who speak to us, and our colleagues on the Macmillan Support Line, feel safe. We have information about unacceptable behaviour when using the Macmillan Support Line.
  • Call recording and monitoring

    Calls to our Macmillan Support Line are confidential, but may be monitored and recorded for quality and training purposes.

  • About our call charges

    Calls to Macmillan's Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 are free on all UK landlines and UK mobile phones.

    If you are calling from a business phone, you should check with your provider whether there will be a charge for calling numbers starting with 0800 or 0808.

  • If you are calling from outside the UK

    If you're calling from outside of the UK you can contact us on +44 207 091 2230. We are unable to advise on healthcare systems overseas. Please note that calls to these numbers are not free when made from phones based outside the UK.

About our information

This information has been produced by Macmillan's Digital Content Editor team and reviewed by Macmillan's Direct Services team.

Learn more about how we produce our cancer information.

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