We know that it can be difficult to talk about cancer, maybe some of your friends and family run and hide, or change the subject whenever you bring up the 'C-word'?

We want to change this, and next week is Cancertalk Week. Running from the 15th - 22nd February we'll be encouraging everyone to get talking about cancer to raise awareness, share concerns and ask questions.

As part of our long term partnership with Boots UK, all Boots stores during the week will be promoting our services and signposting people to our support line and website. Over 100 selected stores will also host Macmillan cancer information specialists – allowing them to give support and advice right in store. There'll also be a 5p donation to Macmillan on selected toiletries and baby products.

We'll be kicking off the week on Monday 14th February when Cancer Information Specialist Nicola Willis will be in our chat room answering any questions you have. Nicola works in one of our Mobile Information Units and will be available for one hour between 1 - 2pm to give advice and signpost you to information that you need. Why not join up and come and ask Nicola a question?

Following that, every day during Cancertalk Week we'll be offering you an area in the chat rooms where you can discuss some of the more difficult to talk about topics surrounding cancer in an honest and open way. So if there was something you'd always wanted to ask but never knew how, now's the time. The topics are as follows:

Tuesday 15th: Bereavement

Wednesday 16th: Relationships

Thursday 17th: Finances and working

Friday 18th: Caring for someone with cancer

Monday 21st: Emotional impact

Tuesday 22nd: One word to describe your cancer experience

It doesn't matter what you say or who you say it to, as long as you're talking about your experiences of cancer and what it means to you. If you'd like to set up an anonymous account to talk more freely then please do if you'd find it helpful.

Some words are difficult to use, cancer needn't be one of them.

To encourage people who may not feel comfortable talking about cancer, we're planning a little game on Facebook and Twitter. Each day we'll be telling you a difficult or silly word, and your challenge is to get it into your status, with the line:

"Some words are difficult to use, cancer needn't be one of them"

So for those of you who are on Facebook and Twitter, please sign up to the event to find out the challenge words and take part. Tell your friends to spread the word and raise awareness.

Thank you everyone.

Rebecca x