The role of a Macmillan Cancer Support Worker: How they help you through your cancer journey
Being diagnosed with cancer can feel overwhelming, and navigating appointments, treatments, and the emotional impact can be challenging. Macmillan Cancer Support Workers (CSWs) play a vital role in helping patients and families feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout their cancer experience. Working alongside Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and wider healthcare teams, they focus on your personal needs—practical, emotional, and everything in between—to ensure you never feel alone on your journey.
What does a Macmillan Cancer Support Worker do?
Macmillan CSWs provide non-clinical but essential support tailored to what matters most to you. Their work includes:
- Providing information and guidance on services, support groups, hospital processes and what to expect at different stages of treatment.
- Helping you navigate the healthcare system, including appointments, procedures and signposting you to the right person or service.
- Offering emotional support, with sensitive and empathetic communication during what can be a difficult time.
- Supporting with practical concerns, such as finances, work, travel, or where to access welfare and community resources.
CSWs work closely with CNS teams in different cancer specialities, ensuring patients have someone they can contact for guidance between clinical appointments. They also help new patients and carers find their way around hospital services and ensure you know what support is available from day one.
What is a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA)?
A major part of the Macmillan CSW role involves supporting patients to complete a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) An HNA is a simple questionnaire that helps you identify your concerns—physical, emotional, spiritual, practical or social—so that your care team can understand what you need most.
HNAs can be completed at diagnosis, during treatment, or at any time you feel you need extra support. They usually involve:
- A short questionnaire where you rate different concerns or needs.
- A conversation with a Macmillan CSW to explore these concerns in more detail.
- Creating a personalised care and support plan—a document that captures agreed actions, useful resources, and next steps. This plan can be shared with you, your GP, and your specialist team.
The aim is to treat you as a whole person, not just focus on your illness. Issues discussed may include fatigue, pain, finances, relationships, sleep, emotional wellbeing, or lifestyle changes.
Why HNAs matter
HNAs help ensure you receive personalised cancer care, tailored to your priorities and circumstances. They can help you feel more in control, support self‑management, and ensure you get the right help at the right time—whether it’s emotional support, information, or practical assistance. Macmillan advocates for all people living with cancer to receive an HNA, as part of national personalised care recommendations.
You’re not alone
Macmillan Cancer Support Workers are here to make your cancer journey more manageable and less overwhelming. Whether you need advice, emotional support, or help understanding your care plan, they are a compassionate point of contact committed to supporting your wellbeing.
If you would like to speak to a Macmillan Cancer Support Worker or request an HNA, please contact your local cancer support team [email protected] or call 01243 788122 ext. 35423
For more information please visit: Your Wellbeing: Making Your Support Plan Happen (CC