BRITAIN NEEDS BETTER CARE FOR CANCER PATIENTS

CHARITIES, campaigners and the Express today urge ministers to ensure mental health is a key part of the long-awaited National Cancer Plan.

- ROBERT FISK and HANNA GEISSLER

A blueprint to improve care is due out next month - but Express reporter Robert Fisk, pictured, who is living with incurable bowel cancer, said the help he needs "just isn't there at my NHS hospital". The plan will be unveiled by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was treated for kidney cancer in 2021, and will include a pledge to end a postcode lottery for patients by recruiting extra specialist doctors.

The Express's Cancer Care campaign-backed by charities such as Prostate Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Now and Maggie's - wants ministers to recognise too many people fall through cracks when it comes to mental health support.

Three cancer survivors and the heads of 17 charities signed our letter, right, to Mr Streeting and health minister Ashley Dalton, who twice had breast cancer surgery.

It argues more must be done to ensure Holistic Needs Assessments - which consider all aspects of a patient's life, not just their illness are completed. It also wants medics to regularly ask patients about their mental health during care.