Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Can we talk about vulvar and vaginal cancers?

Can we talk openly about vulvas and vaginas? It’s Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month and we’re taking the opportunity to raise awareness of the rarer gynae cancers. We understand that many people find sexual organs to be an embarrassing or awkward subject. Many people might not even know the correct names for these body parts. So what happens if you get diagnosed with cancer (or a pre-cancerous condition) ‘down there’? We’re highlighting how women, trans men and non-binary people can find support from the Community. It’s a place where you can be completely anonymous and chat with others in similar circumstances. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with vulval/vaginal cancer, need emotional support or practical tips to help with healing after surgery, you’re likely to find someone…

Steph - Online Community Team
Supporting anyone new to the UK with cancer information and support

When you’re living with cancer, or supporting someone with cancer, it can be all consuming. Cancer can be an awful lot to deal with. The current tragic events unfolding in Ukraine had us thinking about people living with cancer who might also be dealing with other life changing events, or who may be new to living in the UK. Whether you’re coming to the UK as a refugee or for other reasons, Macmillan are here to support you. We’re also here for anyone supporting a refugee living with cancer, or anyone else new to the UK who might benefit from cancer support and information. In this Community New Blog we will highlight all the ways you can find support from across Macmillan and beyond. Online Community We welcome anyone living with cancer or supporting a family member/ friend with cancer…

Steph - Online Community Team
Finding cancer support over the Easter bank holiday weekend

As we head into the UK bank holiday weekend, some of us are celebrating Easter with family and friends. Some of us are almost halfway through the month of Ramadan, a time for reflection and spending time with loved ones. For some of us, it might also be a worrying or sad time. You might be waiting for results, coping with the side effects of treatment, supporting a loved one with cancer or struggling with a bereavement. We wanted to reach out through our Community News blog to highlight the support available to you over this weekend and beyond. “ My family is coming over Easter. I like that very much but now I need to prepare food and stuff. A bit stressful and my energy level is still low.” - Community member, living with cancer outside of the UK forum. Cancer support from the Online…

Steph - Online Community Team
Finding support with Bile Duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)

In this Community News Blog, we'll be highlighting the support shared in the Community's bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) forum and sharing some other ways you can find help. When you or your loved one has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) , it's important you can find the right emotional support. The Online Community's bile duct cancer forum is an online cancer support group. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you can find support from people who understand. Because they've been there themselves. You might be looking for tips to help you get the best from your cancer nurse and health care team or ideas around coping with side effects and improving quality of life. You might just need to talk. Whatever support you're looking for, the bile duct cancer…

Steph - Online Community Team
Stoma series- Reassurance from the Community

Have you been told you may need a stoma after treatment or surgery? Are you already living with a stoma? This blog is a collection of supportive and shared experiences from members who have had, or currently live with a stoma. If you’re looking for some reassurance, you may just find it here. Even if you’re not looking for reassurance about living with a stoma, you’ll still find lots of warm peer support. It can be comforting to know there’s a whole Community of people who can understand what you’re facing. We see everyday how much support our members give each other by being there to listen, and talk about each other’s experiences. Being told that you need a colostomy, ileostomy urostomy or a laryngectomy stoma, can cause a range of feelings. You may have been given different options by…

Megan- Online Community Team
Breast cancer awareness month

October is Breast cancer awareness month around the UK and as part of this, we'd like to feature what’s discussed in our Breast cancer forums here on the Community. The different Breast cancer forums have around 11,725 members who offer each other support every day, including all hours of the night. If you’ve visited the Breast cancer forums you will have seen there’s lots of discussions about symptoms, treatment options and side effects. There’s also lots of friendly and reassuring support so stay and read the rest of the blog if you’re thinking of joining, or if you’re looking for some support. “It’s always helpful just to know you’re not alone and to talk about it so thank you for replying.” Community member, BRACA positive forum “I think being able to talk to someone that has been…

Megan- Online Community Team
Where can I find support over the festive season?

This week can be a difficult time and can sometimes cause some anxiety for those who need support. Services’ opening hours can change, public places can be hectic, family members and friends may be less available to talk due to preparing for the season. Our recent blog “What does the festive season mean to you?” talks a lot about the emotions you might feel. Many of you found this blog helpful to read and shared your thoughts in the comments section. Following on from this blog, we’re highlighting support services which are available for you during the festive season. Support from Macmillan Macmillan’s Information and support team, alongside our Clinical nurse specialists on the Support Line are available as usual throughout the festive period. Please remember our Support Line is available…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Mealtimes during the festive season

During the festive period, there can be lots of celebrations and parties, including plans to see family and friends. This can often involve eating. When you’re dealing with symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment, eating at mealtimes may look different than it did before. Everyone is different and we understand that for some people, you may feel uncomfortable about mealtimes and special occasions with loved ones. Below there are twists on traditional favourites and some suggestions of how to still take part in the celebrations at the dinner table. If you’re looking for some cooking and eating inspiration, this blog is the one for you. “I think it’s important to set some rules about the festive season. If you feel an occasion will be too much for you consider going later when people…

Megan- Online Community Team
Here's to our Champions this Volunteers' week!

The 1 st – 7 th of June 2021 marks Volunteers week here at Macmillan. This is a week dedicated to saying a huge thank you to all of our volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting people affected by cancer. Here on the Community team we wanted to dedicate today’s Community news blog to our very own group of fantastic volunteers, our ‘Community Champions!’ If you’re new to the site, you might not know what a Community Champion is, but you’ve more than likely spoken to one of our wonderful Champions, as part of their role is to help welcome new members to our Community cancer forum . The easiest way to spot one of our Community Champions’ posts on the site is by their signature. Each of our Champions has a version of the below badge in their Community signature which will appear under…

Former Member
Ovarian Cancer- Anne's Story

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month so to recognise this, Anne who is known as KralC on the Community, has kindly shared her blog post ‘ Who… ? ’ to tell her story and spread further awareness of Ovarian Cancer. We would like to take the opportunity to thank Anne for sharing her personal experience with the wider Online Community and send our very best wishes to her with her ongoing treatment and tests. Who… ? Who would choose to write this down? Who would choose to read a story like this? Not me. Not in all the months since my ... diagnosis. No, not me. Isn’t the word - CANCER - in itself enough to stop any vague distant notion before the idea could even begin to formulate itself? In the past I have rushed by the broadcasts, the features, the interviews, the podcasts, the TV…

Megan- Online Community Team
Community in Bloom

We’re starting to see the first signs of spring and welcoming the brighter evenings. You may remember the ‘Winter picture festival’ that was featured on the Community cancer forum at the end of last year but because we received such great feedback from members that took part, and others who loved seeing the pictures posted, we have decided to launch our very own ‘Community in bloom’. This will be featured in our Express yourself group so please do join and get involved. This is a space for members to share springtime images of wildlife, gardens, seasonal foods and cooking, alongside anything which fits within the springtime theme. It’s a chance to show off your creativity if you enjoy crafts or have taken a picture which could brighten up the site. You’re invited to post as many images…

Megan- Online Community Team
A day in the life of...a Cancer Information & Support Advisor

We are pleased to be continuing our ‘A day in the life of…’ series today with Ruth, who works as an Information and support adviser on the Macmillan Support Line. Now that webchat is available directly on the Community site, we wanted to bring you a few of the faces behind the support and help you get to know more about how our teams can support you. For more information on how to use Webchat, please click here to read our recent Community News blog. So here’s what Ruth had to say when we asked her a few questions about her day, over to you Ruth! So firstly, what is a Cancer Information and Support Adviser? A Cancer Information and Support Adviser works directly with people affected by cancer on the Macmillan Support Line – our job is to offer a listening ear and emotional support, as…

Moderator - Macmillan Community

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