When Robert Fisk of the Express shared his journey with stage four bowel cancer, his words left a lasting impression on me. Having heard the chilling phrase “you have cancer” myself, I understood all too well the gravity of such a diagnosis. Robert’s candidness about the emotional burden of the disease highlighted a critical oversight in our healthcare system. Cancer invades not just the body but the entirety of one’s life, bringing with it incessant fears—like the dread of unpaid bills, the worry about how family will manage, and the lingering anxiety even after treatment concludes.

It’s unacceptable to solely address the physical symptoms of cancer, leaving patients to navigate the rest of their challenges alone. Unfortunately, many individuals report feeling abandoned in the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis or treatment—the comprehensive support system they need is often missing.

I count myself lucky. When I faced my own cancer diagnosis, I had the backing of a supportive employer and a family that stood by me. However, reliance on fortune or circumstance for such support is not how it should be.

Robert’s advocacy, combined with the powerful testimonies of Express readers, made it impossible to ignore this gap in care.

The National Cancer Plan, which I introduced this week, aims to address this issue. Starting this year, every cancer patient will benefit from a personalized needs assessment at the time of diagnosis—encompassing not only medical and physical requirements but also emotional and mental health aspects.

This assessment will guide the creation of an individualized plan, tailored to include everything from medical treatment to counseling, anxiety management, and assistance with returning to work. True care must extend beyond the endpoint of treatment.

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.