Be kind to yourself: Self-compassion and cancer

4 minute read time.
Be kind to yourself: Self-compassion and cancer

When navigating the challenging journey of a cancer diagnosis, our Online Community often provides gentle, yet profound wisdom. The phrase "be kind to yourself" echoes through many of our forums on a weekly basis.

This blog is a collection of quotes from our members that centre around the concept of being kind to oneself. These snippets reflect the shared wisdom and experience of individuals facing the challenges of cancer.

Patience and self-compassion in recovery

While recovering, patience and self-compassion play significant roles. It's important to take things slow and take each day as it comes. The following quotes illustrate the lessons learned through patience and self-kindness.


Nurturing well-being: Managing fatigue and self-care

The Community often discuss managing fatigue and prioritising self-care amidst the challenges of cancer. These quotes reflect the empathy and understanding within the community regarding the importance of taking care of one’s well-being.

Listening to your body and adapting

Adaption and acceptance of one’s body and limitations emerge as crucial themes within our Community. Members often emphasise the importance of listening to one’s body and approaching setbacks with self-compassion.

Shared support and encouragement

Life affected by cancer can feel isolated and lonely. However, it doesn’t have to remain that way. There is support available from people who know what you are going through. The Online Community is here for you through each step of the journey.


You might want to take a moment today to reflect on where you could offer yourself a bit more compassion and gentleness. Whether it's granting yourself rest, seeking support, or simply acknowledging your resilience, practising self-kindness can be a transformative act.

We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. 

A listening ear can sometimes help when you need to talk things through. Our Macmillan Support Line teams are ready and waiting to listen. They’re available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on freephone 0808 808 00 00, email or live webchat.

Anonymous
  • my  husband   has   been   diagnosed   with    incurable  cancer,  how   do  i get  through  each    day   ,?  i am   struggling   at   the    moment   

  • Hello  

    I am so sorry to hear that your husband has been diagnosed with incurable cancer of the lung and pancreas.

    It's understandable that you're struggling. Do you have any other support around you at the moment?

    I hope you will find the Online Community to be a safe space of comfort and support. Lots of people find it helpful to share their feelings in the forums and find support from people who understand.

    The supporting someone with incurable cancer forum could be a helpful space to for you to join. We have a Family and friends forum and a Carer’s only forum that may also be useful groups for you to connect with others who are also supporting someone with cancer. You can go straight to each forum by clicking on the links.

    If you feel you might need further support, aside from the Online Community, I’d encourage you to contact the Macmillan Support Line.  Our Support Line teams are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on freephone 0808 808 00 00email or live webchat.

    We also have a section of our website designed for anyone supporting a loved one with cancer here which you might find helpful to have a look through.

     Please do let us know if you have any questions or need further support with anything at all.

  • I do believe being kind to yourself is important . I used to try to go on as usual, but only hurt my self. So I decided to follow what my body was telling me and I'm much happier in my self and have excepted it now my way of life. I've also encouraged my husband to take time out for himself,  because he was wearing himself out with worrying, we are coping alot better now. xx

    Moi

  • I was exactly the same, trying to carry on as normal. I did this prior to surgery while still working when clearly my physical and mental health were far from normal. The working environment that I was in was challenging and had unhealthy norms. I failed to see that I wasn't up to it at that time.

    I also tried to carry on as normal but with restrictions when unwell and waiting for treatment to start. Once chemo started I realised that it was going to be tough and that I needed to start seriously listening to my body. I have learnt the hard way, to put myself and my capabilities first.

  • I’ve just started chemotherapy and I have lymphatic cancer. Anyone tell me what to expect