Macmillan chat rooms

Read all the questions and answers from past webchats with our experts.

Oesophagus (gullet) cancer

Specialist nurses John Newlands and Carol Goodman answered your questions about oesophagus cancer. Topics included risk factors, symptoms, treatment, eating problems, diet, stents and caring for someone with oesophagus cancer. Read all the questions and answers from the chat.

Palliative care

Palliative care is treatment that is given not to cure cancer, but to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for people with incurable cancer. Specialist nurses Pamela and Bill answered questions on what palliative care is used for, types of palliative care, getting practical support and dealing with emotions. Read all the questions and answers.

Benefits webchat - 28 March

In this live webchat, Welfare Rights Advisers Sarah Presto, Justine Devenish and Adrian Ward answered your questions about benefits for people affected by cancer. Read all the questions and answers.

Prostate cancer

March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Our specialist nurses Jennifer and John answered questions live in the chatroom about topics including symptoms, diagnosis, PSA tests, active surveillance and living with prostate cancer. Read all the questions and answers.

Benefits webchat - 28 February

Benefits advisers Sarah and Kath answered questions on topics including Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, benefits for carers, and help with heating bills. Read all the questions and answers.

Coping with isolation

At Macmillan, we believe that no one should face cancer alone. But for many people, living with cancer can leave them feeling isolated and lonely. Kate Goldie, a specialist nurse from the Macmillan Support Line answered questions on dealing with both physical and emotional isolation. Read all the questions and answers.

Benefits for older people

Money worries are the last thing you need when you are living with cancer.  If you are of pension age, there may be specific benefits that you can claim, but it can be a nightmare trying to work out what you’re entitled to. Benefits advisers Sarah Presto and Steven Westmoreland answered your questions. Read all the questions and answers.

Cancer and older people

More than half the people living with cancer in the UK are aged 70 or over, and they may have specific treatment and support needs. Kath Curley from the OPAAL network of older people's advocacy services and Teresa Gonzales, a specialist nurse from the Macmillan Support Line, answered your questions. Read all the questions and answers.

Benefits webchat - 13 December 2012

In this live chat, our benefits advisers Sarah and Peter answered questions on subjects like travel costs, heating costs, Employment and Support Allowance and grants. Read all the questions and answers.

Friends and family

If someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, you’ll know that the news can hit family and friends hard too. This live chat with Teresa, a nurse from the Macmillan Support Line, was especially for anyone with a loved one with cancer. Read all the questions and answers.

Work and Cancer

Whether you're living with cancer or supporting someone who is, it can have a serious impact on your working life. Discrimination lawyer Caroline Gooding and Welfare Rights Adviser Irene Carey answered your questions on topics including your rights, sick pay and benefits, phased returns to work and Occupational Health. Read all the questions and answers.

Lung Cancer

As part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, our specialist nurse Kate Goldie answered questions live in the chatroom. Topics included managing breathlessness, physical activity, symptoms and side effects, medication and advanced lung cancer. Read all the questions and answers here.

Keeping Warm without the Worry

Keeping the house warm can be a really big worry for some cancer patients. When you are living with cancer, you can really feel the cold. However, if you aren’t able to work, or have other money worries, you might not feel able to turn the heating on as much as you need to. Our Welfare Rights Advisers Sarah and Janina discussed how to get help from your energy supplier, find out if you’re eligible for benefits, and save on other costs. Read all the questions and answers here.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our specialist nurse Ellen answered your breast cancer questions live in the chatroom. Topics included clinical trials, risk-reducing surgery, follow-ups after treatment, and secondary cancers. Read all the questions and answers here.

Benefits webchat - 27 September

Last week, we held a live webchat about benefits for people affected by cancer, with two advisers from our Welfare Rights Team, Sarah Presto and Caroline Payne. Topics covered included benefits for carers, help with the cost of travel to the hospital, Disability Living Allowance and the blue badge scheme. Read all the questions and answers here.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies are therapies that are used alongside conventional medical treatment. They are not used to cure or treat cancer but may help relieve side effects or symptoms, reduce stress and anxiety or help you sleep. Complementary therapies can include things like counselling, massage, acupuncture, yoga and meditation. This chat was with Pamela Rose, a nurse from our Macmillan Support Line. Read all the questions and answers here.

Eric Lanlard's baking tips

In preparation for Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, we held a webchat with Eric Lanlard, star of Channel 4's 'Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard'. The master pâtissier shared his tips on his favourite recipes, alternatives to old favourites, and how to avoid baking disasters. Read all the questions and answers from the chat here.

Benefits webchat

Our two Welfare Rights advisers, Sarah Presto and Carolyn Walmsley, answered questions  about benefits for people living with cancer, including Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance. Topics covered included how to work out if you’re eligible and how to apply. Read all the questions and answers from the chat here.

Leukaemia and lymphoma webchat

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist Bill Carlin, who works on our Macmillan Support Line, answered your questions about leukaemia and lymphoma. Bill helped people with questions about topics including treatment, side effects, and life on ‘watch and wait’. Read the full transcript here.

Employment and Support Allowance webchat

We know that being unable to work can cause serious financial worries for people living with cancer. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is benefit which can be a lifeline for some people in this position. Our Welfare Rights Advisers Jayne and Peter answered questions on who is entitled to this benefit and how to apply. Read the transcript here.

Duathlon webchat

On Thursday 19 July, we hosted a live webchat with Great British duathlete and Macmillan Supporter Catriona Morrison. Lots of people came along to ask questions, including many fundraisers planning to do the London Duathlon for Macmillan. Cat answered questions on triathlons, duathlons and Ironman competitions, sharing her tips on training, equipment and mental preparation. Read the transcript here.

Head and neck cancers webchat

Josie Buchan, a specialist nurse from our Macmillan Support Line, answered questions on head and neck cancers. Head and neck cancers can include eye cancer, nasal and paranasal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, mouth cancer, oropharyngeal, larynx, laryngeal and salivary gland. Some of these cancer types can cause difficulties with eating or speaking. Read the transcript here.

Skin cancer webchat

Now summer is finally here (for now, at least), it’s important to remember to stay safe in the sun, as sun exposure is a risk factor for skin cancer. We hosted a web chat on skin cancer with Macmillan Information Nurse Specialist Carol Goodman. Carol answered questions on symptoms and types of skin cancer, and on risk factors and prevention. Read the transcript here.

Carers Week webchats

Caring for someone with cancer can be demanding and sometimes financially very difficult. As part of Carers Week (18-24 June) we hosted two webchats for carers. Our Carer Support Manager Charlotte Argyle and nurse Heidi Lindenstock answered questions about support for carers, while Welfare Rights Advisors Sarah Presto and Linzie Cobb answered questions about benefits for carers. Find the transcript here.

Genetics and family history webchat transcript

If you have a family history of cancer, you may be worried that your own risk is increased, but this is not always the case. We hosted a webchat on genetics and cancer with our specialist cancer nurse Jennifer Gorrie. Jennifer answered questions on which cancer types can be associated with inherited genes, as well as on services such as genetic counselling and genetic testing. Find the transcript here.

Move More cancer webchat transcript

For our webchat on physical activity and cancer our experts were Macmillan Nurse Louise Bolton, and Matt Corder from the Active Luton Project, who works with cancer patients to help them become more active. They answered questions on the benefits of physical activity, and on the types and levels of activity that are suitable for people living with cancer or after treatment. Find the transcript here.

Bowel cancer webchat transcript

For Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we hosted a webchat with cancer information nurse specialist John Newlands, who answered questions on symptoms, testing and treatment. Find the transcript here.

Strength in Style webchat transcript

Our host for this webchat was Toni & Guy stylist Katie McCardle, who specialises in hair care, advice and support for people living with cancer. She answered questions on hair care, hair loss and wig fittings. Find the transcript here.

Ovarian cancer webchat transcript

For Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we hosted a web chat hosted by Macmillan Nurse Heidi Lindenstock, who answered your questions on the disease, screening programmes and genetic risk.  For those who couldn't make it, you can find the transcript of the webchat here.

Cancer Talk Week transcript

For our Cancer Talk Week webchat, we were joined by Sue Parkes from Relate to answer all your questions on how cancer has affected your relationships with friends, family and partners.  I would like to say a big thank you to all those who took part, but if anyone missed it you can find the transcript of the webchat here.

Carers Rights Day transcript

For our Carers Rights Day webchat, we were joined by Charlotte, Lynn and Sarah from our carers support team to answer all your financial related queries.  Check out the questions and answers here.

Lung cancer awareness month.

Nurses Jane and Heidi answered your questions on lung cancer including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in our live web chat. See the transcript here.

What's your biggest issue?

Rosemary Frazer from our local campaigns team asked you what your biggest issue was, have a look at what you said here.

Eric Lanlard answers your baking questions

Baking supremo Eric Lanlard of TV's Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard answered your baking questions in advacne of The World's Biggest Coffee Morning. Read Eric's answers.

Physical activity transcript 

Earlier this month, physiotherapist Karen Robb joined us in a live web chat and answered your questions on the benefits of  physical activity in cancer recovery. Take a look at the full physical activity webchat transcript.  

Palliative care web chat transcript

Last week Clinical Nurse Specialist Kate Goldie was in our chat room answering your questions about palliative care. Thanks to all of you who came along with your questions, the transcript is below for those of you who were unable to join us.

Skin cancer web chat transcript 

In recognition of sun awareness month, skin cancer nurse specialist Carol Goodman was our web chat guest and answered your questions on skin cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment.

James Golding web chat transcript

In November 2008 James was diagnosed with a rare tumour between his spine, kidney and bowel.  He was given a 5% chance of survival, but survive he did and James went on to complete the gruelling Etape Caledonia cycle challenge to raise funds for Macmillan. In this web chat James answered questions on his cancer experience as well as cycling and fundraising ideas and tips. 

Paul Burstow MP web chat transcript

Paul Burstow, Minister for Cancer Services joined us for a very special web chat and answered your questions oncancer services in England and welfare reform. 

Paul Burstow MP web chat update

Since the session with Paul Burstow was so popular we were unable to get around to all of your questions on the day. We sent your questions on to the Minister and he's answered them all. Read his responses to your questions here.

Bengu Shail web chat transcript 

Bengu was a fit and healthy associate TV producer from South East London. Following tests Bengu was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Now in remission, Bengu volunteers her time at Macmillan and joined us in Chat to answer your questions about returning to work after cancer.