The United Kingdom (UK) government has officially announced a national cancer plan that provides each patient with tailored support, according to their needs, covering treatment, mental health and employment support.
According to the new policy published on Wednesday 4 February 2026, the government plans to link patients to charity cancer support through the National Health Service (NHS) App as soon as they are diagnosed.
The government says it plans to cover not just diagnosis and treatment, but the full impact of the disease on a patient’s life, including anxiety and fatigue after treatment. It will also help patients access post-treatment physiotherapy and counseling to help them rebuild their lives.
UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, himself a cancer survivor, said: “The plan aims to provide support and ensure that no patient is left to face cancer alone,” adding: “It is the biggest shift in how we support cancer patients for a generation.”
The government plans to transform the NHS app so patients can use it to book screening appointments, view their patient records, check their personal cancer plan and provide feedback on the treatment they have received.
Speaking at X, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the plan, saying: “Our National Cancer Plan is the most ambitious in a generation. It means earlier diagnosis, cutting waiting lists and investing in cutting-edge technology to build an NHS fit for the future.”
He added that it was deeply personal when he lost his brother to cancer.
Prime Minister Starmer added: “I lost my brother to cancer. I was with him when he was told of his diagnosis – a moment I will never forget. Throughout, the NHS respected and cared for him. When he died, it hit me like a bus – even though I knew it was coming. I am determined that every person diagnosed with cancer is given the best possible chance to beat it.”
