As part of Ethnic minority cancer awareness month, we are sharing the lived experiences of ethnic minority communities posted in our forums and blogs, alongside sharing support resources.
Here on the Online Community, all our forums are intended as a safe place for you to talk anonymously about your emotions and experiences with other people who may be going through a similar situation. We realise that sometimes a person’s identity can impact their personal cancer journey. This could be because they have experienced racial health inequalities, breakdown in relationships and family dynamics, religious and cultural challenges, stigmas with their gender, and so much more.
There may be stigmas linked to a cancer diagnosis, which can result in isolation and loneliness. We want our Online Community will enable all ethnic communities to connect in a safe way and that everyone will value and respect our differences, and we can support each other.
“I guess my biggest fear now is that if it is melanoma as suspected, how advanced would it be if I've left it for that many years. I am black, but fair skinned so I know it’s not necessarily as common in my ethnicity. I do have freckles on my face and I also now have a lot of very small freckles on my back and I'm guessing this larger one (around 5mm) may have started as a freckle looking mole. As it is on my back I cannot really see it so well, even with a handheld mirror so am relying on other people or photographs to see it.”
-Community member, Melanoma forum
“Was speaking to a Macmillan advisor regarding the lack of support for ethnic minorities when receiving wigs and prostheses on the NHS. The wig supplier through the NHS service are all European hair wigs. If I wanted something that was braided or afro Caribbean style, I would have to use an external supplier and pay for it… The same issue with breast prosthesis, especially if you're larger than the average BC cups. There is much choice and all there was to have, was a heavy pink prosthesis.”
-Community member, Breast cancer forum
We are proud to say that all our forums on the Online Community are open to everyone effected by cancer. We hope you feel encouraged and supported to tell your story and come to the Online Community when you need peer support. If you would like to raise awareness of your personal cancer experiences, tell us in the comment box below.
Join and post in the following forums today
The following people chose to share their cancer experiences with the Online Community, hoping it may resonate with others who may be going through a similar experience.
“Cancer is still stigmatised in the Asian community, from my experience, with many people unwilling to talk about it or seek help soon enough. There is also taboo over lost fertility, hair loss, surgical menopause (very painful) and Covid. Usually in Eastern culture women are easily blamed, as if they are cursed for maladies they have no control over.” - Sunita
Sunita was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer and shares her experience with post-surgical menopause, coping with her changing body image and navigating her diagnosis as a South Asian woman.
“I still cannot explain how hearing those words actually felt. You say that if you heard those words you would feel like this or that, but in reality, nothing prepares you for the range of emotions that you feel and the thoughts that you have when you hear those words “I’m sorry but you have cancer”.” - Dimple
Dimple shared her cancer diagnosis story and how telling her children about her cancer was the hardest thing she has ever done. Dimple was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. As a single parent, she was especially worried about talking to her children about cancer and coping with treatment. Dimple has shared her story on Community News.
“In Africa, when we hear of breast cancer, the fear makes people think you are going to die. But I don’t let the fear get to me. I went somewhere where I could get support from people who had cancer before. People that make up a support group. I think, “you survived then I will survive”. But we mustn’t be scared. We have to talk when we feel it, because if we don’t talk then the doctor cannot help.” - Della
Della was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and was later also diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her family were scared to come to Della’s house, as they were worried they may catch cancer from her. Della took part in Macmillan’s Mother Tongue project, where she talks about her experience in her native language, Yorùbá. Della talked about the importance of speaking up about how you feel and getting yourself checked. Find out more on Community News.
“They have a worldwide web where they search for any donors on that registry. They couldn't find the match there. One of the reasons why they couldn't find a match is because not enough people of colour are going on to that register.” - Wilfred
Wilfred was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. He spoke to Macmillan about the challenges he faced as a Black person who needed a stem cell transplant. It was very difficult to find a match. Wilfred shared his perspective on his experience of diagnosis and treatment, and the support he received from Macmillan. Wilfred also talked about the emotional impact of cancer. You can read about Wilfred’s experiences in his own words on Community News.
Read more about why Ethnic minority cancer awareness matters and how Macmillan is helping close the gap with our new organisational strategy on the Macmillan website.
There’s lots of support available through Macmillan and here on the Online Community. If you ever need help accessing support that feels right for you, reach out to the Community team over email to community@macmillan.org.uk.
We are proud to say that all our forums on the Online Community are open to everyone affected by cancer. We hope you feel encouraged and supported to tell your story and come to the Online Community when you need peer support. If you would like to raise awareness of your personal cancer experiences, tell us in the comment box below.
