A major cancer charity is significantly expanding a vital service, offering nutritional guidance and cookery classes to patients across the United Kingdom. Maggie's, which provides free support for people with cancer, plans to extend its dietary workshops to all 27 of its centres in Britain and Northern Ireland.
Addressing a Critical Need for Patients
The move follows a successful partnership with the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London, which began in 2020. The initiative addresses a common and distressing side effect of cancer and its treatments. Many patients experience changes in taste, a loss of appetite, or difficulty eating, which can lead to debilitating weight loss and fatigue.
The workshops, led by specialist cancer dietitians, do more than just offer practical advice on maintaining a healthy diet. They also tackle widespread and harmful misinformation. Laura Lee, Maggie's chief executive, explained that the sessions help people "identify fact from fiction," debunking myths such as the idea that sugar directly fuels cancer or that dairy products should be universally avoided.
A 'Win-Win' for Patients and the NHS
The expansion is backed by compelling evidence from the Royal Marsden trial. The charity reports that the group sessions, which typically involve 10 to 15 people, had a direct impact on NHS efficiency. Patients who previously faced waits of several months for one-to-one dietetic appointments were instead referred to Maggie's workshops. This freed up specialist NHS staff to focus on individuals with the most complex needs, thereby reducing waiting lists.
In a direct appeal to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, Lee described the model as a "win-win." "People with cancer get timely, trusted nutrition support, which is vital, while the NHS benefits from reduced waiting lists," she said. Streeting, who was treated for kidney cancer in 2021, has previously praised charities like Maggie's for providing a more approachable, less clinical form of support.
Combating Misinformation and Filling a Gap
The need for reliable, accessible nutritional advice for cancer patients is acute. Isobel Booth, head of health information at the World Cancer Research Fund, welcomed the expansion, noting that "misinformation is everywhere." She highlighted that appointments with NHS dietitians are in high demand, making charitable services like Maggie's "invaluable." The WCRF's own helpline reports that 98% of callers felt more confident managing their diet after receiving advice.
Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of the Royal Marsden and NHS England's former national cancer director, stated the partnership had helped ensure "healthier long-term outcomes for patients." She expressed delight that the programme would now benefit people across the UK.
The national cancer plan for England is due to be published on 4 February – World Cancer Day – and Maggie's is urging the government to use it to encourage more NHS trusts to adopt similar collaborative models.
