Community News - Macmillan Online Community

"...it remains a rare and preventable cancer." - Mesothelioma: What is it?

Last Friday, September 26th marked Mesothelioma Awareness Day, and to recognise this Mesothelioma.com got in touch a while back, asking if I'd like to help them raise a further awareness of Mesothelioma, the dangers of asbestos and other asbestos-related diseases. Below is a summary as to what the day's all about: Mesothelioma Awareness Day (MAD) strives to inform others about this rare cancer caused by asbestos. The ramifications of asbestos exposure have lasted far past its first connection to mesothelioma. It continues to affect people who come in contact with locations, products, or appliances that still contain this fibre. The U.S. continues to allow one per cent of asbestos in construction and other commodities today, though many countries like Australia and the United Kingdom have…

Former Member
Celebrating Pride month

June marks the international celebration of Pride month. In the words of Stonewall , a charity dedicated to supporting LGBT+ people in the UK, “pride is about communities coming together in celebration, protest, unity and solidarity.” June is a month where we celebrate the LGBT+ communities around the world. Here on the Online Community, we wanted to shine a light on the support that is available for LGBT+ people living with cancer and their families. We also wanted to talk more today about the history of Pride and why it is so important. It’s important to acknowledge that the celebration of Pride in June each year doesn’t mean that this is the only time we can focus on supporting LGBT+ people affected by cancer and celebrating the LGBT+ community. Here at Macmillan, we are dedicated to supporting…

Former Member
The Visit - coping with bereavement

Photo taken by David We are back today with the 4 th volume of our bereavement series. This series aims to shine a light on some important topics and key experiences that people may go through when they have lost a loved one to cancer. We began our bereavement series with the aim to normalise discussions around death, dying, and what comes after. Even though these kinds of discussions can be incredibly difficult, talking more openly about these experiences can help patients and loved ones find the right support to suit them in end of life and throughout bereavements. Grief, and what you may go through after someone close to you has passed away, can be a really difficult topic to talk about. It can be especially difficult if you have been recently bereaved, but by sharing experiences on…

Former Member
Prostate Cancer Information

We know from listening to our members that the amount of information to take in when you first get a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. It can affect everyone within a family as well as friends, alongside the patient. In today’s Community News Blog, we’re looking to help by providing clear and concise information on one type of cancer – prostate cancer. “Think everyone here can associate with the overwhelming emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis in a family ” court, Bowel cancer forum. Go to discussion . We wanted to start with a video that explains what prostate cancer is and the main types, risk factors, stages and common treatments available. www.youtube.com/watch Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in the UK, around 80% of 80-year-old men have prostate…

Tom C - Online Community team
Overcoming smear fear with the Online Community

Many people worry about attending cervical screening appointments, due to anxiety, existing health worries and concerns about the procedure. It’s ok to feel a range of emotions including embarrassment, and by being a member of our Community cancer forums you’ll probably find that you’re not alone in feeling this way. It can be helpful to have the factual information about what to expect and our ‘ Cervical cancer prevention blog ’ has some helpful information about why it’s important to attend and keep up to date with Cervical screening appointments. This blog highlights the reassuring voice of our Community members and the support that’s offered to each other when talking about cervical screening. So if you’re feeling anxious or worried about an upcoming Cervical screening appointment,…

Megan- Online Community Team
Men's Health Awareness Week - Dan wants you to douche it

Did you know that it’s Men’s Health Awareness Week 14 th - 20 th June 2021? The recent Macmillan campaign ‘ Tell Us The Score’ explained that men represent 51% of people diagnosed with cancer, but that only 37% of the calls to the Macmillan Support Line come from men. Similarly, members of the Community are less likely to be men. This means that men are missing out and aren’t asking for, or getting, the essential support they need from us. We want to encourage men to start opening up about cancer and ask for support if you need it. You might worry about how your diagnosis will affect your loved ones. You may have questions about your rights at work, your symptoms, or your money worries. Or you might want someone to talk to, even though you feel under pressure to ‘man up’ and stuff your…

Steph - Online Community Team
Cancer & me 35 years on - Surgery at St. Mary's

Today we are back with the 13th volume of our longest running Community News Blog series ‘Cancer & me 35 years on’. Willo was diagnosed with Anal cancer in 1986 while living in Zambia. In this blog series Willo has been sharing her experience of living through and beyond cancer. Alongside sharing everything she has been through, Willo has also been sharing the amazing artwork she created during this time in her life. So far, Willo has covered her experience of moving back to England for treatment, her Abdominoperineal Resection , going back to art school p ost-surgery and the amazing friends and family that helped her through. In today's blog, Willo talks about a very important, and often very difficult time in anyone’s cancer experience, waiting for results. We are back with Willo today…

Former Member
Being bodies: vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness affects lots of people, for many different reasons. Some cancer treatments can cause vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness can also be a symptom of the menopause that some people may experience. Your body and how you feel about sex can also be affected by how you are doing emotionally. For some people, it can feel difficult to seek the right help. This could be because you feel embarrassed or ashamed, or not listened to. It’s important to know that you’re not alone. In today’s Community News blog, we’re talking all about vaginal dryness, and what might help. “It is so frustrating when something so delicate and intimate can affect us all.” Community member The vagina usually produces some natural fluid. If your vagina is producing less of this fluid, some types of sex might…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Sarcoma Awareness

If someone approached you on the street and asked if you knew about Sarcoma, chances are you may be part of the three in four people that would be confused by the question. To clarify, according to a recent YouGov Poll posted on the Sarcoma UK website , 75% of people don’t know or are not sure what sarcoma is. Of course, that could be due to how truly rare this cancer type is. So, let’s try and reduce the 75% figure during Sarcoma Awareness Month (1 st July – 31 st July). What do you know about Sarcoma? Let’s find out together as we take a deeper dive into the different types of sarcoma and what the early symptoms may be. What is a sarcoma? According to the University Hospital Plymouth , sarcomas are malignant tumours derived from mesenchymal cells in various parts of the body. These include…

Syed - Macmillan
Planned Online Community Maintenance - Tuesday 10th August, 6AM - 10AM

Hi everyone, Due to some planned maintenance, the Online Community will enter a read-only mode tomorrow morning, Tuesday 10th August from 6:00am to 10:00am. This means that you will not be able to log in, post or reply on the Online Community during this time. You will still be able to read posts and blogs on the site. If you feel you need some support while the Online Community is unavailable, please remember our Support Line is here for you. Our teams are available 8am-8pm, 7 days a week by phone on freephone 0808 808 00 00 and also by email or on webchat . Thank you for your patience and support as Macmillan continues to update and improve our online services. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at community@macmillan.org.uk . Kindest Regards…

Moderator - Macmillan Community
Have you seen these conversations?

In today’s blog, we’re catching up on some recent conversations from across the Online Community. Members have been offering each other lots of support lately. From side effects to talking to children, members have been talking about everything and anything around their cancer experiences. Even if you have a different type of cancer, remember that you're still welcome to talk to other members in groups across the site. Why not join in and find support? “How was/is the experience of chemo and how do you deal with the side effects?” Bertz, “Bowel (colon and rectum) cancer group In the “Bowel (colon and rectum) cancer” group, member Bertz started a conversation around managing side effects from chemotherapy. Lots of members have replied to share their own experiences. Kareno62’s tip is…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Parents of children with cancer: do you feel supported?

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month . Today on Community News, we’re talking about parents. No matter how old your child is when they are diagnosed with cancer, the news can still be devastating. A child’s diagnosis can affect all family members, and it’s important to find the right support. “[I am] finding some comfort in the fact that there are other people who have gone through and go through what I am going through…My son has had a malignant aggressive tumour found in his femur. It has all been INCREDIBLY quick. Our world has been turned upside down.” Community member, “Parents of children with cancer” forum Here in the Online Community, many members say things like that it can really help to share experiences. Lots of members have talked about looking after their child…

Eliza -Online Community Team

Awake and up all night?

We know that cancer can sometimes cause sleepless nights. Join our Cancer Chat forum for some company here in the 'Awake and up all night' thread.

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