Former government minister Mo Mowlam will officially open the recently completed Macmillan Cancer Unit at Luton and Dunstable Hospital on Monday.

The purpose-built £2.1 million treatment centre, which took its first patient in July, provides a new chemotherapy unit, a cancer information service and complementary therapy areas.

It also has quiet rooms for patients and relatives, which will allow them to discuss any concerns with specialist staff.

Mo, who has been treated for cancer herself, said: "Cancer can be a very frightening experience, but I'm sure the friendly, relaxing atmosphere of the unit will make each visit easier. Everyone involved, especially the local community who are still raising money for the unit, must feel very proud of this achievement."

She added: "A cancer unit like this makes you realise what a difference the environment can make to how you feel. No-one could fail to be impressed by the care and attention that Macmillan Cancer Relief and the Luton and Dunstable Hospital Trust have put into building the unit."

Work on the centre began in the summer of 2002 after an appeal by Macmillan Cancer Relief made it possible. The chemotherapy unit will handle more than 4,000 appointments each year.

The appeal not only enabled the centre to be built, but also funded a consultant oncologist. Ten patients can be treated simultaneously and they can also browse through up-to-date information about living with cancer and how to contact support agencies.

Aromatherapy, reflexology and treatment for lymph oedema will be provided by the centre.

Peter Cardy, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: "Like all Macmillan buildings, the unit has been designed around the needs of patients and will provide a welcoming, relaxing place to have treatment."

Dr Soraya Dhillon, chairman of the L&D Trust, said: "The new cancer unit is part of the £30 million of developments planned over a ten-year period. This facility has only been possible thanks to the support of the local community."