- New data from Macmillan Cancer Support shows almost one in four people with cancer in Scotland are lacking specialist nursing support during their care – a figure basically unchanged since June 2022
- Additionally, one in two people living with cancer in Scotland have been affected by local variation in their treatment and care, despite Scottish Government pledges.
- Carrol Pollock, 61, a retired schoolteacher from Larbert, said: “No-one should have to fight for basic standards of cancer care,” after she was left to process the trauma of her cancer diagnosis and treatment alone.
In the buildup to the Holyrood election on Thursday 7 May, Macmillan Cancer Support has launched its Manifesto, calling for bolder and faster action to address a patchwork system that is failing the people.
Three years into the Scottish Cancer Strategy, the charity is concerned that progress to ensure people get the support they need is flatlining, and too many people are still not having their needs met.
New data from Macmillan shows almost one in four people with cancer in Scotland (24%) either do not have the support of a specialist cancer nurse during their NHS care but would like it, or the support they receive from a specialist cancer nurse isn’t enough to meet their needsi. This figure, from the charity’s January 2026 survey, has shown no signs of significant improvement since at least June 2022ii.
In addition, other recent data from Macmillan shows 49% of people living with cancer in Scotland have been affected by local variation in their treatment and care, including 46% who have had to travel for an hour or more for a test, scan or treatmentiii.
Everyone with cancer, no matter who they are or where they live, should be able to get the best possible cancer treatment and care that Scotland has to offer.
Carrol Pollock, 61, from Larbert, a retired primary school teacher and long-standing Macmillan volunteer, was abruptly told she had cancer. This happened following a routine mammogram that led to further tests that were consistently downplayed. She felt distressed and unprepared as result.
Initially she received compassionate support from a Macmillan-trained nurse who helped her cope with the shock of diagnosis. However, once transferred to her local hospital care became fragmented and her treatment was delayed well beyond the 35 days stated by Scottish cancer guidelines. Carrol waited for weeks without a clear plan despite being told in mid-January 2025 that the cancer may be incurable.
Carrol eventually received chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy but felt support dropped away at the end of treatment.
Carrol says: “The delays and the impact of the uncertain incurable update was huge and left me feeling overwhelmed, powerless and unable to advocate for myself.
“No one should have to fight for better standards of cancer care. Better communication, less fragmented treatment and care and keeping to cancer waiting time targets are vital for improving outcomes for people with cancer in Scotland.”
Peter Hastie, Macmillan’s External Affairs Manager for Scotland, said: “Without decisive action that goes further and faster than ever before, the gaps in outcomes for people with cancer in Scotland will remain unacceptably wide. The system is at crisis point and the pressures are growing. The people of Scotland deserve better from their cancer strategy.
“Macmillan is committed to being a partner in the challenges ahead. We will do whatever it takes to work alongside government, the health system, professionals, sector partners and most importantly, people living with cancer in Scotland – wherever they live, whichever community they’re from – to make it happen.”
Macmillan’s Manifesto launch on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
People living with cancer, Macmillan professionals, local politicians and others gathered on Tuesday 17 March at The Scottish Storytelling Centre to launch Macmillan’s Manifesto calls, in the build to what is being termed the most consequential election at Holyrood since devolution.
Macmillan is calling for:
- Bold action to tackle inequities in cancer care. We need to move faster to reduce inequity in cancer outcomes for people in the most deprived areas.
- Clear steps to address unwarranted variation in treatment and care. 49% of people living with cancer in Scotland have been affected by local variation in their treatment and careiv – this situation is wholly unacceptable and must change.
- A revolution in cancer data and digital infrastructure. The publication of vital statistics since the Strategy was released has been infrequent and incomplete. Macmillan is calling for the annual publication of detailed cancer statistics, broken down by deprivation and ethnicity, so we can build an equitable system
- Renewed commitment to delivering person-centred care. Macmillan is the proud delivery partner of our innovative Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) which will cover the whole of Scotland by Spring 2026. We’re calling for the renewed commitment to embedding this community-based across the country
For information, support or just someone to talk to, call Macmillan’s free, confidential Support line 7-days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or visit: