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.
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 can bring a huge range of emotions, from fear and uncertainty to anger, sadness and anxiety. Alongside the emotional impact, there can be the added stress of treatment, appointments, changes to everyday life, relationships, work and finances. Even after treatment has finished, worries about the future or the cancer returning can continue to affect how you feel.
There is no single ‘right’ way to cope with these feelings, and what helps one person may not be right for another.
Whether it’s talking to others, finding ways to relax, getting professional support or simply taking things one day at a time, we hope these ideas help you find something that works for you.
Community members in our 'One Step at a Time' discussion thread have shared how getting outside and staying active can help them manage their wellbeing. For many, walking provides an opportunity to clear their mind and stay physically active:
"I have music and podcasts on my phone, and listen to them as I am walking and cycling. Clears the head and keeps me physically active."
For others, regular walks have become an important part of managing difficult emotions and improving their sleep and sense of wellbeing:
"My daily walks became an important part of my self help regime and it really worked. I took control of my anxiety, started to feel better and was sleeping better.. I strongly recommend it."
Being outdoors can also provide a welcome sense of normality and a way to focus on something positive during a difficult time. One community member described how gardening helped them temporarily shift their focus away from their cancer diagnosis:
"I was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer and have found that gardening makes me revert back to my "pre-cancer" diagnosis in my head. It is as if a switch gets turned to happy mode and my mind totally forgets that i have cancer and I am 101% well."
Other members spoke about the benefits of creative activities, such as knitting and crochet, as a way of managing difficult thoughts and emotions. Focusing on a hands-on activity can provide a sense of calm and give people something positive to concentrate on:
"I knit a lot and I know lots of people who testify to the benefits knitting, crochet and other crafts can bring to their mental well-being. Concentrating on knitting helps stop the negative thoughts taking up squatters rights in my head."
A Community member shared how mental awareness techniques, breathing control, and distractions can help manage anxiety and provide comfort:
"Coping strategies such as deep breathing, mindfulness techniques, and distraction can help manage overwhelming emotions. Remember, it's normal to feel anxious, but focusing on self-care and seeking support can provide comfort during this challenging time."
Others have also found comfort and support from members of the Online Community. Sharing experiences with people who understand what they are going through can reduce feelings of isolation and provide encouragement, advice and kindness during difficult times. One member said:
"I just wanted to post a massive thank you to you all for the support, encouragement, bad jokes and general kindness over the past month."
Another member expressed their gratitude:
"Thank you for the love, kind words and advice. On a bad day, the one thing that really helps is the kindness shown on this site by the people who understand what I’m going through."
If you’re struggling with your mental health, we would always recommend speaking with your GP or calling NHS 111 outside of your GP’s opening hours.
There are also many resources and sources of support available. Please take a look at some of our forums below, as well as Macmillan information, support line details, useful websites and external mental health support organisations.
Sometimes it can help to talk things through with someone who’s there to listen. Our Macmillan Support Line teams are here for you They’re available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, on freephone 0808 808 00 00, or by email and live webchat.
We’d love to hear from you. What activities do you find helpful for supporting your mental health and emotional wellbeing? Share what works for you in the comment section below!
