Community News - Macmillan Online Community

You never see it coming - Jon's story

Jon had barely heard of penile cancer before his diagnosis at 40. To help raise awareness and share his experiences, he started sharing his story across social media to keep his family and friends up-to-date. This led to the knob blog , where Jon continues to talk about his experiences of diagnosis, treatment and side effects. In today’s Community News blog, Jon reflects on his experience with penile cancer, and how humour and his blog have helped along the way. *Early disclaimer: My blog posts might be sweary, and can be extremely graphic. I will often make light of what is an incredibly serious subject too. You have been warned!* Cancer is going to affect half of us We all know someone that’s had cancer, but we never really think it’s going to happen to us. At least, I certainly didn…

Ellen - Macmillan
Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Living with cancer as a neurodivergent person

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, so we wanted to take a moment to talk about the experience of living with cancer as a neurodivergent person. We've done a bit of research and looked at different experiences people have of living with cancer and being neurodivergent. Below are some of the challenges that can come up, along with a few tips we’ve come across that some people have found helpful. Everyone’s experience will be different, so if you are neurodivergent and living with cancer, we would love to hear from you. Reply to this blog to share your experiences, which may help others who are going through the same challenges. Receiving and processing a diagnosis Being told you have cancer can feel overwhelming for anyone. Neurodivergent people may process this news in different…

Moderator - Macmillan Community
What do you wish you had known before starting Radiotherapy? The Online Community helps.

Our new blog mini-series is based on a question ‘what you wish you had known’. We’re bringing the Community together to share hints and tips around different cancer treatments or situations you might be facing. Today we’re encouraging the sharing of your experiences of radiotherapy. We know how helpful it can be to hear from someone who has been through it themselves. Whether you are starting radiotherapy treatment yourself, or supporting someone having radiotherapy, we hope this blog will help you find the suggestions you need . Radiotherapy hints and tips for all In the Radiotherapy forum , we asked the Community for their guidance in a recent thread ' What you wish you had known before starting radiotherapy ? ' Some of the advice provided could be relevant to anyone facing any type…

Steph - Online Community Team
Approaching Autumn - Celebrating the Online Community Seasonal Picture Festivals

Image: a collage of photos from Community Members - 'W ith a peaceful theme' As we approach Autumn, we are launching a new Picture Festival thread whilst taking some time to look back on the Spring and Summer pictures members have contributed in 2025. We asked members of our Express Yourself forum to share pictures of their Spring and Summer. This could include pictures of nature, art and crafts, pets or more. A big thank you to everyone who shared their images this year. We know that it can bring many of you joy to share and see pictures of nature here on the Community. Can you see your image shared in the blog? As the nights draw in and the weather is changing, images from Spring and Summer might help us all feel a little brighter. We are also looking forward to the changing colours…

Steph - Online Community Team
“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…

Megan- Online Community Team
Celebrating Eid while living with cancer

Eid is a special time for many people. It can be full of family, good food, prayer, and celebration. But if you are living with cancer, Eid might feel different this year. You may feel more tired. You might not feel well enough to join in as much as you would like. Or you may feel sad that things are not the same. If this sounds like you, you are not alone. The Macmillan Online Community is here to support you. Why Eid can feel different Cancer can change your routine, whether that is due to having treatment, dealing with side effects, feeling low or worried or simply needing more rest. Meanwhile, Eid often brings busy days with visitors, festive mealtimes and long celebrations. This can feel like a lot and you may also feel pressure to join in, even when your body needs something…

Emma - Online Community Team
South Asian Heritage Month 2026

Are you from a South Asian background and affected by cancer? Have you ever wished you could talk to someone who understands the cultural, family or faith-related challenges that can come with a cancer diagnosis? South Asian Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the history, cultures and contributions of South Asian communities in the UK. It is also an opportunity to recognise that people from South Asian communities can experience unique challenges when navigating cancer, and that these challenges can continue long after awareness campaigns and heritage celebrations have ended. A cancer diagnosis can affect every part of life. Alongside treatment, appointments and recovery, many people are also navigating family responsibilities, cultural expectations, faith, language barriers and conversations…

Emma - Online Community Team
How to access support this Bank Holiday weekend

This bank holiday weekend, you may be celebrating some of the religious events or just looking forward to the long weekend by spending time with your loved ones. For lots of you who use the Online Community for support, it may not be a weekend filled with joy as you are waiting for test results, coping with treatment side effects, or supporting a loved one. You don’t have to be alone this weekend if you’re struggling and there’s support available. Hopefully, the following information will help you access the support you need this weekend. Use the Online Community 24/7 Connect with others in the Cancer forums to talk about how you are coping, ask questions, and share personal experiences. The Online Community is open 24/7 so you’re really not alone. If you're struggling with anything…

Megan- Online Community Team
New Autumn/Winter 2026 Dates - Local Cancer Community Meet-ups

As early autumn and winter approach, we're delighted to announce a fresh round of face-to-face meet-ups in more cities than ever. If you're near any of the following locations, read on: Birmingham Bristol Colchester Dagenham Glasgow Lincoln Manchester Preston Rochester Sheffield Swindon Watford Westwood Cross (near Margate) Wolverhampton As always, these in-person events intend to build supportive communities of people local to the areas they're hosted in. To avoid confusing them with our Online Community, we refer to these events as 'Local Cancer Community Meet-ups' in this blog. If you would like to discuss attending this event with other members of the Online Community, please don't forget that our Community Guidelines still apply. The Private Messaging…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Moments of support that made a difference

Cancer is one of the toughest things someone can go through. When cancer shows up, the people around us can matter more than ever. Showing someone you care cannot change a cancer diagnosis, but it can help them feel less alone. Yet when cancer shows up, silence can often follow. Loved ones, friends, and colleagues may struggle to find the right words to say. They may worry about saying the wrong thing, asking too many questions, or not knowing how to help. This is something Community members have called Cancer ghosting, and we explore this more in the Cancer ghosting blog . For someone living with cancer, this silence can be difficult too. Many people tell us they do not want to feel like a burden. Talking about their diagnosis or treatment can sometimes feel confusing and overwhelming…

Megan- Online Community Team
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…

Steph - Online Community Team
Newly diagnosed with cancer? Advice from Macmillan’s Online Community

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can bring overwhelming emotions, uncertainty and many questions. It can be difficult to know what to do or where to turn, especially in those first few days. It can help to hear from people who have been there before. Last month, we asked members of the Online Community what they would say to themselves on the day they were diagnosed with cancer. We wanted to know what words of advice they would offer, anything they wish they had known at the time, and what helped them most during those early days. In this blog, we’ve brought together some of the replies our members shared. We hope their experiences, advice and words of encouragement will help anyone who has recently been diagnosed with cancer feel a little less alone and more prepared. Take things one step…

Dylan - Online Community Team