Macmillan Online Community

Mental health and cancer: Tips and support for your wellbeing

Living with cancer can have a significant impact on your mental health. This Saturday 10 October is World Mental Health Day 2026 . In this blog, we're sharing experiences and advice from members of the Online Community about coping with the emotional effects of cancer, and where to find support when it's needed most. Ways to support your mental health when living with cancer Having conversations about mental health can make such a difference. Being able to put into words how you’re feeling, knowing that someone is there to listen, and hearing from others who may have experienced something similar can help us feel less alone. For people living with cancer, as well as those caring for a loved one with cancer, looking after your mental health can be particularly important. A cancer diagnosis…

Male breast cancer: David's story and support

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month . This is a time to raise awareness of breast cancer, encourage people to know the signs and symptoms, and remind everyone of the importance of seeking medical advice when something doesn’t feel right. When we think about breast cancer, it is often associated with women. But breast cancer can affect men too. Male breast cancer is rare, but around 375 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. You may have recently seen male breast cancer brought into the spotlight on Coronation Street, where one of the show’s male characters is diagnosed with breast cancer.  Macmillan Cancer Support has partnered with ITV’s  Coronation Street  to help bring this important issue to the forefront, using the storyline as an opportunity to raise awareness…

Wenda’s Story. Afro hair care after chemotherapy

Image above: Wenda in 2026 Wenda AKA Sonia101 on the Online Community was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. She wrote a short memoir about her cancer journey to help inspire others with breast cancer. The book “Faith over Cancer” focuses on Wenda’s persisting faith in God throughout her cancer treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy. As part of her memoir, Wenda also shares her experiences of losing her afro hair following chemotherapy and afro hair care following regrowth. Wenda told us she found it more difficult to find information about afro hair and cancer treatment. Macmillan want to make sure we offer cancer support relevant to you, whoever you may be. In this Community News Blog, we are sharing excerpts and photos from Wenda’s memoir, sharing her experience of hair loss…

Coffee Morning with Macmillan's Online Community

September marks Coffee Morning month! While Macmillan’s official Coffee Morning date is 25 of September, you can take part anytime. It’s a chance to come together, share a cuppa and start talking. Here at the O nline C ommunity, we know how important those conversations can be. By sharing experience s, advice and support, members help one another feel listened to and less alone. In this blog, we’ll hear from members about the connections they’ve made and support they’ve received. We’ll show you how you can join conversation s in our forums and find your nearest Coffee Morning. Grab a cuppa and let’s celebrate coming together. Feeling less alone Many members of our community have found comfort and support through our forums. For some it may be the first time they’ve felt able to open up…

“I did not know the stranger looking back at me from the mirror.” -Renita’s hair loss story

Last month, Community member Renita ( RMD ), shared her story in this blog , of being diagnosed with invasive multifocal ductal and lobular breast cancer. She wrote about the challenges of treatment and how the Macmillan Online Community gave her support, hope and comfort when she needed it most. In this blog, Renita shares her experience of losing her hair during treatment, hoping to help others going through the same thing feel less alone. I thought being diagnosed with multifocal invasive ductal and lobular breast cancer was traumatic. Don't get me wrong, it was, very much so, as was the mastectomy that followed and the various side effects of chemotherapy. Each one seemingly worse than the last. Despite having worn the cold cap during my chemotherapy sessions, enduring the freezing…

What were the moments of support that mattered to you?

Cancer is one of the toughest things someone can go through. When cancer shows up, silence often follows. This is something Community members have called Cancer ghosting, and we explore this experience more in the Cancer ghosting blog . People living with cancer tell us they don't want to be a burden but still need emotional and practical support from their loved ones. Sometimes friends, family and colleagues can struggle to find the right words to say and not know how to best support you. What supportive moments made a difference to you? We are asking you what your family and friends have done to show they care and be supportive. Was it stopping by with warm meals? Meeting up with them once a week for a cuppa and a chat about life beyond cancer? Care packages of things to help…

"Macmillan’s community becomes my lifeline as in my own community, cancer is still a taboo" -Renita's story

Renita, known as RMD in the Online Community, was diagnosed with invasive multifocal ductal and lobular breast cancer at 48. In this blog, she shares her diagnosis story, the challenges of treatment, and how the Macmillan Online Community became a source of support, hope and reassurance when she needed it most. Cancer was not on my radar until my mum found a lump. In May 2025, during my morning call to my family in India, my sister says, “Now don’t panic but…” “What’s happened?” I cry in full-blown panic, frantically googling flights to India. My mum takes over, calm and unruffled. She is the matriarch of the family, our strength and rock. As usual, just hearing her voice makes me feel better, but what she says has me hyperventilating again. She has found a lump in her breast. It needs…

Toxic positivity and cancer: why listening matters

Positivity can be helpful when dealing with cancer. Hope, encouragement, and support can make a real difference during difficult times. But when positivity dismisses or overlooks someone's genuine feelings, it can become unhelpful. This is often what people mean when they talk about toxic positivity. Three years ago, we published our first blog on toxic positivity. The topic sparked a lot of discussion as many members related to the concept. In this blog, we share members' experiences of toxic positivity and helpful resources for talking about cancer. What Community members have shared Positive comments often come from a place of care, but they can sometimes make it harder for people to express how they are really feeling. “When somebody tells me to stay positive and that I’ll beat…

Wellbeing Wednesday - Men's Health Week 2026 and opening up conversations about cancer

This Wellbeing Wednesday blog focuses on Men’s Health Week in 2026 which runs from 15-21 June. At Macmillan, we’re using the opportunity to help raise awareness of the importance of men talking about their health and finding the right cancer support. We know that men are less likely than women to seek support for their cancer experience. We also know how isolating cancer can be. And that whoever you are, there are benefits of talking to someone who understands what you are going through. We want to make cancer support better for everyone. Whether you are a man with a cancer diagnosis, or a man supporting a loved one with cancer, the Community is here for you. Men living with cancer and sharing support on Macmillan's Online Community "I’ve spent the last 5 days a nervous wreck convincing…

Are you LGBTQIA+ and living with cancer?

Have you ever felt like parts of your identity or experience were not fully understood during your cancer journey? While everyone’s experience is different, Macmillan recognises that LGBTQIA+ people can face additional barriers across the cancer pathway. Alongside treatment, appointments and recovery, many people also navigate questions about identity, and how to communicate needs to others. Some challenges LGBTQIA+ people face: Worrying if healthcare professionals will understand and respect your relationships or family structure. Having to repeatedly explain pronouns, names, identities or family structures during treatment. Feeling uncomfortable correcting assumptions about gender identity or sexual orientation during appointments. Worrying if partners, chosen family…

Have you experienced cancer ghosting?

Some Community members have been discussing the term ‘Cancer Ghosting’ in the Online Community forums. It is a social term that those living with cancer use to describe family and friends not being there to support them once they have told them about their cancer. “Have any of you experienced cancer Ghosting? It’s where friends and relatives suddenly disappear when you announce that you have cancer. It’s a recognised syndrome apparently- Google it. I am afraid I have experienced it. It can have a big impact.” Community member, Cancer ghosting discussion, Bladder cancer forum “Since my diagnosis last year my friends have all disappeared. Messages have stopped, and I'm left with my husband and dog. My husband is my rock, but I miss the distraction my friends provided. It makes the journey…

“When I am up at 'silly o'clock' I will try to remember this thread”

This week, the Awake and up all night discussion in the cancer chat forum reached a one-year milestone. For a whole year, people have found support from posting in the discussion thread and reading the ongoing conversations. Sleep problems may be caused by how you’re feeling emotionally, or as part of the side effects of cancer treatment. If you find it hard to get a good sleep, you’re not alone. The Online Community is here to support you 24/7. The Awake and up all night discussion thread was created with the aim of being a dedicated space for people to access peer support when experiencing sleep issues. “What a great idea for a thread. I often had trouble falling asleep, especially when I had been diagnosed but was waiting results, my brain was in worry overdrive.” Community member, Awake…

“This place has been my sanity”: finding mental health support through cancer

“This place has been my sanity, a place where I feel understood and accepted.” Community member, Bereaved partners and spouses forum There are moments when cancer feels overwhelming. The worry can be constant, and it can feel like no one quite understands what you are going through. Living with cancer, or supporting someone who is, can bring uncertainty, isolation, and emotional strain. That’s why Mental Health Awareness Week is an important moment to pause and talk about it. In this blog, we share some conversations from the Online Community and highlight where you can find support. Finding support through shared experience In the Breast Cancer forum , one member reached out as they were struggling with their mental health. Other members replied with kindness and shared their own…

Getting support when living alone with cancer

Having a cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of someone’s life. Living alone with cancer leaves many people with added obstacles to getting the support they need. Whether this is physical support and care, to help with daily tasks, or emotional support and guidance through the most challenging of times. The Online Community is here for anyone affected by cancer to find support from people who understand. Recently, we asked members of the Community about their experiences of living alone with cancer , the challenges they face and how they have coped or adapted to these challenges. This blog brings together what they have shared with some added information that we hope you find useful. Emotional effects of living alone with cancer Members spoke about the emotional challenges faced…

Discover the Travel Insurance forum

Going anywhere nice? Planning a holiday can be an exciting task. It can also be very complicated. After picking a destination, you need to decide on travel arrangements. Then there’s the matter of booking the perfect accommodation. Prices. Dates. There’s lots to consider. As with any holiday, it is also essential to purchase some insurance in case something goes wrong. Many travel and holiday websites make this step surprisingly easy, offering some appropriate cover during the booking process. Unfortunately, when you need to buy a policy that will cover someone living with a cancer diagnosis, things can get complicated. Many mainstream insurers have a long list of exclusions that mean your specific circumstances won’t be covered. Even if they will provide cover, the cost of the necessary…

Life after treatment: Dealing with health conditions after cancer

Being cancer free does not always mean going back to how life was before. For many people, it means learning to live with long-term health conditions. The Online Community is here for anyone affected by cancer to find support from people who understand. Whether you have just been diagnosed, are going through treatment, or are adapting to life after cancer. Last year, we invited members of the Online Community to share what challenges they have experienced after treatment . This blog brings together some of what was shared. Long-term physical effects from cancer treatment Many members spoke about side effects that continued long after treatment ended, often affecting daily routines, mobility, and confidence. One member described chemotherapy-related nerve damage. “I developed peripheral…

What Community members wished they had known before surgery

In the latest of our new series of blogs sharing hints and tips from members, we asked members of the Online Community, "What do you wish you had known before you had surgery?" Members shared personal experiences alongside the questions they asked, practical tips and some reassuring messages. This blog features conversations about a range of different surgeries that may be relevant to you. There is also some general advice to help you prepare for surgery and appointments. Click on the blog headings to help you navigate the different sections in the blog. Table of Contents Being prepared and recovery Hysterectomy TURP surgery Tracheostomy, Laryngectomy and bypass tube Thyroid surgery Cystoscopy Laparoscopic anterior resection Breast cancer surgery Skin cancer surgery…

What do you wish you had known before diagnosis? The Online Community helps.

Our new blog mini-series is based on a question ‘what you wish you had known’. The blogs feature different cancer treatments or situations you might be facing. We’re bringing the Community together to share hints and tips. Today we’re encouraging the sharing of your experiences of diagnosis. We know how helpful it can be to hear from someone who has been through it themselves. If you are facing a cancer diagnosis we hope this blog will help you find the suggestions you need. Everyone’s diagnosis journey is different – but some advice helps us all "I'm glad I got advice here about making lots of notes and asking lots of questions. It's helped me feel in control." - Community member, Prostate cancer forum “Things will get easier when you know what you’re dealing with and what your treatment…

“It is a juggling act being a cancer patient and a parent.” – Priyanka’s story

Priyanka was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 36 in 2022. Priyanka lives in Aylesbury, with her husband, Manoj and two daughters, Keya and Shriyana who were 4 years old and 2 years old at the time of the diagnosis. Priyanka is a qualified teacher. Since, being diagnosed with cancer, she has gone on to become a life coach for children, supporting them through life’s challenges. Also, a published author, Priyanka has penned a heartfelt children’s book, When Mummy Had Cancer. Priyanka’s story Your world falls apart when you hear the words, you have cancer. Mine did too! You automatically think it’s a death sentence. When you have two young children, it’s terrifying. My first reaction was, what will happen to my girls? I want to be there to see them grow up. Experience…

Cancer, self-advocacy and pre-existing health conditions on the Online Community

Our forum members share experiences of self-advocacy, pre-existing health conditions and variations in cancer care. Self-advocacy means speaking up, asking questions, and making informed decisions, whatever stage you're at. Managing your own healthcare can be even more difficult if you have other health conditions as well as cancer. And there are unacceptable variations in cancer care across the UK. This means not everyone gets the same experience, depending on who they are and where they live. Learn how Online Community members navigate these issues. “I have inflammatory breast cancer and was told the only options was non skin sparing mastectomy with a year long wait for reconstruction, after being referred to another hospital despite being told by the previous hospital I couldn't have…

‘Cancer can’t take my sense of humour’- Brian's story

Brian is one of our Community Champions who was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago. He’s married with four children and loves life. Humour has always been a big part of his family life and in this blog, he is sharing how laughter helped him through his prostate cancer diagnosis. For me humour is great because cancer is such a serious topic, it helps folk relax and realise that life continues. Cancer can’t take away my sense of humour. Three years ago, I was one of those men who thought Prostate cancer only affected other people, how wrong was I. Due to various symptoms I ended up in hospital. A few days later my consultant urologist came along with his entourage, drew my bedside curtains, sat on my bed, removed his glasses and in all seriousness said, “Brian, I am so sorry to…

Writing for healing

Have you thought about diarising your personal experiences? Lots of people find it helpful to diarise their own experiences, either by setting up a personal blog on the Online Community or by using a pen and paper. In this blog we will help you set up your own blog and share information about the benefits of diarising your experiences. How can writing help? Writing can be a powerful tool. It can help you express yourself in a healthy way and make sense of how you are feeling. People use writing for emotional healing as lots of deep emotions can be felt when being affected by cancer. Journalling and writing down your thoughts is a personal coping mechanism that can be used in daily life to support your mental health. “Have you tried journalling? I find writing it all out is…

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