With over six million new cancer cases projected by 2040, the need for better care and support is becoming more pressing by the day. The Government’s upcoming cancer plan is a unique opportunity to usher in a new era of cancer care. That era must be one which can improve prevention, earlier diagnosis and waiting times but crucially, it must not ignore the emotional and practical support that people need at every stage of cancer. In the year since the plan was announced, we have called on the Government to embed Maggie’s model of support into NHS cancer care and we are proud to back the brilliant campaign from the Express to prioritise mental health in cancer care.

Embedding our support in NHS cancer care would mean everyone facing cancer gets the support they need from day one. There are challenges at every stage but our Getting Started initiative ensures people receive information about how treatment works and what side effects to expect alongside advice on nutrition and the benefits of gentle exercise, and they leave feeling empowered and more prepared for the treatment ahead.

People also struggle when treatment finishes, with many feeling abandoned when months of regular appointments and check-ups suddenly come to end. Our six-week Where Now? course helps people adjust to life after cancer, covering physical activity, relationships, long-term side effects, and returning to work.

Olu, a 57-year-old living with prostate cancer who regularly visits our Royal Marsden Maggie’s centre in Sutton, described Maggie’s as “deeply supportive” and a place that “feels safe”.

Olu also said that coming to Maggie’s when he was at his lowest stopped him from being “off sick from work or using other healthcare services.”

Time and time again we see people come through our doors, looking broken and worried, and each time we give them the tools they need to navigate the impact of cancer – whether that be physical side effects, work, relationships or money concerns.

We want to continue to grow our 27 centres across the UK and ensure no one faces cancer alone.

Maggie’s stands ready to help the government and the NHS through doing what we do best: providing free expert emotional and practical support for people impacted by cancer.