GP Community of Practice
What is our GP Community of Practice?
Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK are supporting a Community of Practice for GPs interested in improving cancer outcomes. The Community of Practice is a supportive space for all GPs across the UK, whether in cancer related roles or not, and will be an opportunity to:
- Hear from a range of expert speakers on cancer and wider primary care issues
- Connect with peers from across the UK, take part in clinically-led discussions and share your experiences
- Access the latest Macmillan and Cancer Research UK evidence updates and resources
There will be monthly webinars alternately led by Macmillan or Cancer Research UK or, with the option to join live, or watch back recordings.
Meet the Chairs
The Community of Practice will be hosted by clinicians from both Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support:
Dr Owen Carter is a GP Partner in South London with a specialist interest in oncology, working across primary care, acute services and cancer systems. He is a Macmillan National Clinical Advisor, following earlier roles as a Macmillan GP Facilitator and Clinical Borough Lead for Cancer in Wandsworth. He previously served as Primary Care Clinical Director at RM Partners Cancer Alliance. He remains in clinical practice three days a week and is committed to tackling cancer inequities and improving personalised care.
Dr Elise Lang is a GP partner in Cardiff, working as a GP trainer and medical student teacher. Since 2016 she is the Primary Care Lead for Velindre Cancer Centre, delivering oncology education and supporting communication improvements. She co leads work on Wales cancer treatment summaries and prognostic terminology. Since 2018 she has worked at Macmillan and is one of four national clinical leads as part of the Centre of Clinical Expertise, representing the devolved nations and co chairing the Primary Care COP with Owen.
Dr Katie Elliott is Clinical Lead for Cancer Research UK and a GP and Clinical Director for the Northern Cancer Alliance in the North East and North Cumbria. She works locally and nationally with primary care, clinical and managerial teams to improve and innovate cancer pathways. Katie champions primary care and patient voices, including work with the NENC learning disability network, and works with imaging and diagnostics colleagues to improve patient experience and outcomes.
Dr Cat Roberts is a Cancer Research UK Clinical Lead, GP and senior clinical leader with interests in frailty, integrated care, primary care transformation, education and innovative service design. She is GP Workforce Lead at NHS Coventry & Warwickshire ICB, an Honorary Associate Clinical Professor at Warwick Medical School, and former Associate Dean for the Midlands Primary Care School. Her work has driven innovative care models, established workforce retention initiatives, and supported future GP education and leadership development.
Webinars
Episode 08 – Topic 1 = Blood Cancers
20 May 2026 | [Runtime : 0 hour 58 minutes 36 seconds]
At this session we were joined by Dr Fenella Willis – Consultant Haematologist at St Georges Hospital, London.
Fenella’s session included the following:
- Vague and non-specific symptoms that make blood cancers difficult to diagnose.
- What clues blood tests provide.
- Importance of early diagnosis, timely investigations and non-specific symptom pathway.
- Improved survivorship in patients with blood cancer.
- Ways in which the GP might be involved in care or oversight of a blood cancer patient.
Episode 07 – Topic 1 ‘Difficult conversations with Patients’. Topic 2 ‘Support Macmillan can give to GPs and their patients’
22 April 2026 | [Runtime 59 minutes 15 seconds]
At this session we were joined by Dr Fiona Rawlinson, Palliative Care Consultant & lecturer at Cardiff University and Ross Cooke, Service Manager, Money and Work at Macmillan Cancer Support.
Fiona gave tips and tools for managing uncertainty and discussing sensitive topics in palliative and end of life care in the primary care setting.
Ross then shared with attendees how the Macmillan Cancer support line can provide help to GPs and their patients.
Episode 06 – ‘Addressing inequalities in cancer screening’ (Cancer Research UK Led webinar)
26 March 2026 | [Runtime 0 hour 58 minutes 26 seconds]
Persistent inequalities in cancer screening access and uptake mean many people are missing out on a key opportunity for earlier diagnosis and prevention of cancer. Primary care can play an important role in addressing these inequalities and helping to close the gap. Join Dr Cat Roberts and Dr Katie Elliott to see how GPs and practice teams can take action to reduce inequalities in screening.
Episode 05 – ‘’Optimising Cancer Risk Assessment in Primary Care”
26 February 2026 | [Runtime 52 minutes 13 seconds]
GPs play a pivotal role in supporting the earlier diagnosis of cancer. However, detecting potential cases in primary care can be challenging.
In this webinar, you’ll join Dr Cat Roberts and Dr Katie Elliot in ‘morning surgery’ for a practical refresher on how to effectively assess the risk of cancer in patients who present with symptoms to primary care.
Episode 4 – ‘Bone Cancers’
21 January 2026 | [Runtime 1 hour 1 minute 59 seconds]
In this webinar, we were joined by three guest speakers:
- Silvia Kraft who is Policy & Awareness Officer at Bone Cancer Research Trust. Silvia, through discussion with our Chair of the session shares information about the charity, their strategic pillars, and how they work with healthcare professionals to raise awareness of primary bone cancer.
- Dr Meena Rafiq who is a GP & Principal Clinical Research Fellow at UCL, London also shared information on primary bone cancer.
- Dr Anne-Mary Young who is a Consultant Oncologist Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) at St George’s University Hospital NHS Trust. Anne-Mary shared with attendees some case studies and lessons learnt re: secondary bone cancers.
Episode 3 - ‘Immunotherapy’
26 November 2025 | [Runtime 59 minutes 03 seconds]
In this webinar, we were joined by two guest speakers – Dr Ricky Frazer, Oncology Consultant and Dr Anna Olsson, Oncology Consultant
Ricky and Anna gave details on what Immunotherapy is, treatments, side effects etc. and explored how primary care can play a pivotal role in supporting patients on immunotherapy.
Episode 2 – LGBTIQ+ healthcare with a particular focus on cancer care
17 September 2025 | [Runtime 1 hour 0 minutes 50 seconds]
In this webinar, we are joined by two guest speakers:
Dr Alison Berner
Alison is an Honorary Consultant and Academic Clinical Lecturer in Medical Oncology at Barts Cancer Institute. Alison is also the lead for the UK Cancer & Transition Service (UCATS). Please click on this link to read more about UCATS - UK Cancer and Transition Service - Transplus
At the webinar, Alison shared the background to gender affirming care and how this intersects with cancer and inherited cancer risk.
Stewart O’Callaghan
Stewart is the Founder & Chief Executive of OUTpatients, the UK’s LGBTIQ+ Cancer Charity.
Stewart shared the progress so far and the road yet to travel regarding cancer care for the LGBTIQ+ community. Stewart also covered the positive steps towards greater inclusion over the past five years, and what innovation and opportunities are on the horizon to maintain this forward momentum.
View the episode slides LGBTIQ+ healthcare with a particular focus on cancer care (PDF).
Episode 01 – Breast Cancer
16 July 2025 | [Runtime 1 hour 0 minutes 30 seconds]
In this webinar, we are joined by Professor Richard Simcock, Chief Medical Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support and NHS Consultant Oncologist at University Hospitals, West Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
During Richard’s talk, he shared an update on Breast Cancer, including:
- New data on HRT risks
- Breast density
- Genetic screening
- New treatments
- Hormonal therapy after breast cancer
- Shared care
We also had Dr Anthony Cunliffe, Lead Medical Adviser at Macmillan, give an update on Macmillan’s Cancer Support line i.e. what support is available to patients and medical professionals.
How to join future sessions
To become a member of our GP Community of Practice, email Cawilliams@macmillan.org.uk or complete this registration form
2026 Webinar dates
All sessions will take place on Microsoft Teams.
- Wednesday 22 April, 13:00 to 14:00 - Macmillan. 'Tips and tools for managing uncertainty and discussing sensitive topics in palliative and end of life care' and 'How the Macmillan Cancer Support Line can help you and your patients'.
- Wednesday 20 May, 13:00 - 14:00 - Macmillan Cancer Support: Blood Cancers
- Thursday 4 June, 12:00 - 13:00 - Cancer Research UK: Managing suspected head and neck cancers
- Wednesday 15th July, 13:00 - 14:00 - Macmillan Cancer Support: Genomics
- Wednesday 16th September, 13:00 - 14:00 - Macmillan Cancer Support: Children, Teenage and Young Adult (CTYA) cancer update/ information session
- Thursday 15th October, 13:00 - 14:00 - Cancer Research UK: Lung Cancer
- Wednesday 18 November, 13:00 to 14:00
Details of each guest speaker for the webinars will be added once confirmed.
Stay in touch on Microsoft Teams
If you're part of the GP Community of Practice and would like to join the Practices Teams channel, please email Catherine Williams (PA at Macmillan Cancer Support) at Cawilliams@macmillan.org.uk to request access.
Resources for your role
- Resources for GPs. We have tools and resources to help GPs support people living with or at risk of cancer.
- The Cancer Professionals Podcast. Listen to Macmillan’s podcast where you can hear from expert guests and find out about the latest innovations and best practice
External resources
- Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Primary Care resources
- Gateway C Early cancer diagnosis resources
- MIMS Learning Free cancer resources for healthcare professionals
- OUTpatients LGBTQI+ resources
- South East London Cancer Alliance Cancer diagnosis resources
Support for your patients
- Macmillan Buddies. Find out more about Macmillan Buddies and how they can support people affected by cancer.
- Cancer support services for your patients. Learn how we can support the people you help