The plan to increase the number of metastatic cancer nurses across Australia was welcomed by one of the nation's biggest cancer support groups.

Breast Cancer Network Australia's chief executive Kirsten Pilatti joined Labor leader Bill Shorten in Launceston on Saturday to make the announcement. 

The plan includes employing 42 additional nurses across the country, adding to the 28 already employed federally. Twenty-four metastatic cancer nurses will also be employed in hospitals across the nation.  

A professional counselling service, staffed by trained metastatic nurses will be also be made available under the plan.

A $4 million pancreatic cancer patient hub, that connects patients with practitioners, facilities and support services, was also unveiled. The plan is worth more than $55 million. 

Ms Pilatti said the announcement acknowledged the critical need for increased support for Australians who are diagnosed with incurable cancer. 

"We know that metastatic patients are the people who need us most across Australia right now and this will go directly to navigating this complex system," she said

Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia's Tasmanian state manager John Stachan said it was a wonderful plan.

"Before the announcement there was two out of every three men not being able to access support and obviously this is going to improve that," he said. 

"There will be a specialist prostate nurse here in Launceston ... It's a highly specialised role." 

Mr Shorten said cancer makes you sick, it should not make you poor as well. He said the big health spend, about $35 billion, shows how much cancer patients were out of pocket.

Liberal's federal budget, announced last week, would see breast cancer diagnosis and treatment planning also enhanced with the addition of new and amended Medicare Benefits Scheme services. 

The budget also said Cancer Australia would provide national leadership in cancer control and work with the Department of Health to improve the detection, treatment and survival outcomes for people with cancer.