New Cancer Diagnosis Letter - v1.5 - Support and Cancer Care Review

Sep 15, 2026

Formal notification letter template for people who have recently received a cancer diagnosis, providing clear guidance on early support available through the GP practice. Covers initial discussions with practice team members, optional social prescribing for practical and emotional concerns, and a Cancer Care Review within the first year of diagnosis. Includes options for in-person or phone reviews, asks recipients to contact the practice for appointments, and lists external resources and helplines for additional help.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Letter details

Cancer support discussion

Social prescribing

Cancer care review

Resources

Local cancer support services

Practice header Date Name of addressee Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Dear [Title] [Surname] I am sorry to learn of your recent cancer diagnosis. I am writing to tell you about the support your GP Practice can offer during this difficult time. Cancer support discussion In the first few months, it can be helpful to discuss your diagnosis and how your cancer is affecting your life with one of our practice team. This could be with a practice nurse, cancer care coordinator, social prescriber (add/delete as appropriate), or a GP. If you want to have one of these discussions, please contact the practice to make an appointment. Social Prescribing If you have any worries or concerns about life with cancer, you can ask to see our practice social prescriber. Social prescribers are members of the practice team with a wealth of practical knowledge. They can provide you with short-term, regular 1-to-1 support with the impact of cancer, such as relationships, claiming benefits and practical issues like help with household tasks. They can also introduce you to local services and voluntary organisations to support any needs you have. Cancer Care Review Within the first year of your diagnosis, you will be offered a Cancer Care Review. We understand that everyone’s experience of cancer is unique. You may be worried about money or your job. You might want to discuss support for your family and those close to you. This is a chance for you to talk to a member of the our team about what is important to you. They can then support you to manage any issues. You can choose to have your Cancer Care Review either in person or over the phone. Some people find this most helpful after their hospital treatment has finished, or when they have been discharged from the hospital. You will be offered an appointment for this in due course, but please get in touch if you would like to have this sooner. Resources We have also included some cancer support resources with this letter which you may find helpful. Yours sincerely, NAME OF SIGNING CLINICIAN Practice Name NCDL v1.4, Nov 2023 Review Date: Nov 2025 National Cancer Support Services Macmillan’s support line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and to their loved ones. If you are worried about money, work, your treatment, or you just want to speak to someone about whatever matters to you, you can call free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am – 8pm) Support is also available via the Macmillan online community, which can be found at [https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support](https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support) The Macmillan Concerns Checklist can be completed in advance of your Cancer Care Review to help personalise your review to what is important to you: [bit.ly/macmillanconcernscheckl](bit.ly/macmillanconcernscheckl)ist The Cancer Care Map is a very useful resource to find out any services or groups that may exist in your area from lifestyle support such as physical activity services to local support groups: [https://www.cancercaremap.org](https://www.cancercaremap.org) Cancer Research UK has a free nurse helpline you can call on 0808 800 4040 (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm) . They also have some resources available to help people coping with cancer online: [https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping](https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping) Maggie’s ([https://www.maggies.org](https://www.maggies.org) ) is a charity that provides support for people with cancer and their loved ones by providing a calm, friendly, uplifting space. There are two Maggie’s centres in Greater Manchester, one in Manchester (0161 641 4848) and one in Oldham (0161 989 0550) . They are both open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Local Cancer Support Services Please add any additional local cancer support services specific to your area here NCDL v1.4, Nov 2023 Review Date: Nov 2025

FAQs

What discussions are offered in the first few months after a cancer diagnosis?

The letter says it can help to discuss the diagnosis and how cancer affects life with a practice team member such as a practice nurse, cancer care coordinator, social prescriber, or a GP. Contact the practice to arrange an appointment.

What is social prescribing, and how can it help?

Social prescribers provide short-term, regular 1-to-1 support for practical and wellbeing impacts of cancer, including relationships, benefits, and household tasks. They can also connect people to local services and voluntary organisations.

When is the Cancer Care Review, and how can it be arranged?

Within the first year of diagnosis, an appointment is offered for a Cancer Care Review to discuss what matters and manage issues. It can be done in person or by phone, and recipients should contact the practice if they want it sooner.

Sep 15, 2026

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