Your Personalised Cancer Plan explained

The short version

  • Under England’s National Cancer Plan (February 2026), every cancer patient is to get a Personalised Cancer Plan, rolling out from 2026.1
  • It looks beyond treatment, covering things like psychological wellbeing, fatigue, nutrition and returning to work, based on an assessment of your needs.1, 2
  • The plan also makes prehabilitation and rehabilitation core parts of cancer care.3

What the plan includes

According to the government’s announcement, the Personalised Cancer Plan will:1

  • be tailored to you, covering treatment, psychological wellbeing and support with work
  • cover side effects such as fatigue, nutrition, and returning to work
  • include an end of treatment summary explaining warning signs, who to contact and where to find ongoing help
  • link people to cancer charities through the NHS App at diagnosis

Maggie’s explains that plans will be based on an assessment of your needs, covering mental and physical health and social needs, including help with work and money, and that they will be viewable on the NHS App by 2028.2

Holistic Needs Assessment

Many people already have a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA): a conversation, often with your breast care nurse, about your physical, emotional and practical concerns. It leads to a care plan with actions and support.4 You can ask for one at any point, including at diagnosis and when treatment ends.

Prehab and rehab

The National Cancer Plan embeds prehabilitation and rehabilitation as core parts of cancer care in England, with access to prehabilitation through a digital tool and national quality standards for prehab and rehab from 2027.3 See NHS prehab and rehab across the UK.

Named support

The plan also says every cancer patient will eventually have a named neighbourhood care lead, by 2035, working with their hospital-based cancer nurse specialist to coordinate local support.1, 2

What you can do now

  • Ask for a Holistic Needs Assessment if you haven’t had one.
  • Tell your team what matters to you: work, family, exercise, eating, sleep or worries.
  • Ask about prehab before treatment. See how to ask for prehab on the NHS.
  • Ask for an end of treatment summary when treatment finishes. See when treatment ends.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The National Cancer Plan applies to England. Health services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own plans and services. Ask your team what’s available, and see NHS prehab and rehab across the UK.

Related pages

Everyone’s treatment is different, so talk to your cancer team about what is right for you.

References

  1. Department of Health and Social Care. Every cancer patient to get individual support plan. February 2026. www.gov.uk/government/news/every-cancer-patient-to-get-individual-support-plan
  2. Maggie’s. National Cancer Plan: what does it mean? www.maggies.org/about-us/blog/national-cancer-plan-what-does-it-mean/
  3. Department of Health and Social Care. National Cancer Plan for England. February 2026. Summary of prehabilitation commitments as reported by the Royal College of Anaesthetists and Centre for Perioperative Care. rcoa.ac.uk/news/rcoa-cpoc-respond-release-governments-national-cancer-plan
  4. Macmillan Cancer Support. What is a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA)? www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/coping-with-treatment/holistic-needs-assessment-hna