When the Express’s own Robert Fisk wrote to me about his experience following his stage four bowel cancer diagnosis, his words stayed with me. I know what it’s like to be told « you have cancer », but his honesty about the emotional toll of this disease laid bare something our health service has got wrong for far too long. Cancer doesn’t just attack your body. It takes over your whole life. The 3am fears about how you’ll pay the bills. Worrying about how your loved ones will cope. The anxiety that persists long after treatment ends.
It’s simply not good enough to treat the physical conditions and let patients figure out the rest alone. Yet far too often, patients say they face a « cliff edge » following cancer diagnosis or treatment – the support system that everyone should have access to after a life-changing experience often just isn’t there.
I was fortunate. When I received my own cancer diagnosis, I had an understanding employer and family who rallied around me. But that kind of support shouldn’t depend on luck or circumstance.
Robert’s campaign, and the courage of Express readers who shared their stories, helped ensure we couldn’t look away from this reality.
The National Cancer Plan I launched this week puts this right. From this year, every cancer patient will receive a personalised assessment of their needs at diagnosis – not just their medical or physical needs, but their emotional and mental health needs too.
This will inform a personal, tailored plan covering everything from treatment to counselling, anxiety support to help getting back to work. Care shouldn’t stop when treatment ends.
We’re also investing an additional £688 million in mental health services, expanding NHS Talking Therapies to support hundreds of thousands more people, including those living with cancer.
The Express and Robert Fisk campaigned for this change. We listened and your voices have helped shape a plan to transform cancer care.
This is care that fits around people’s lives. And it’s long overdue.
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