Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Talking about adjuvant and neo-adjuvant cancer treatments on the Online Community

Members of the Community have been talking about adjuvant therapies . Adjuvant therapy can mean different things, depending on your type of cancer and cancer treatment . In addition to your primary treatment , your cancer doctor may recommend you have other treatments. This is often called adjuvant therapy and aims to reduce the risk of recurrence . Your cancer doctor or nurse will explain the treatment options , benefits and likely side effects to you. You can also talk things through here on the Community, with people going through similar treatment. Our members can’t give you medical advice, but through shared experiences you may feel more supported. Many members are talking about and asking questions about their adjuvant therapy, usually a course of treatment following the main cancer…

Steph - Online Community Team
Talking with experts about Sex and Cancer: "All good sex starts with a conversation"

Sex, intimacy, and relationships are regular topics of conversation here on the Community. From discussions about erectile dysfunction, and hormonal and libido changes to using dilators and pumps. There’s no need to feel embarrassed when talking about sex on the Community, our forums are anonymous safe spaces for you to talk openly about your feelings and share your personal experiences with people who understand. This blog features a video hosted by Helen Addis, joined by Macmillan Chief Medical Officer, Richard, and Sarah, a Sexual Health Nurse and Lovehoney Sexpert. Together, they explore the ways to maintain a healthy sexual relationship during and after cancer treatment. “Recovery and going through cancer treatment doesn’t have to mean that you lose your sexiness’. Through personal…

Megan- Online Community Team
Thyroid cancer on the Community

As we welcome September, we enter Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. This blog highlights the practical and emotional effects thyroid cancer can have on your life. As in all our forums, our Thyroid Cancer forum has members who come together to share their experiences and support one another through every step of their journeys. Whatever your experience may be, this forum is a safe space where you can connect with others who may truly understand what you're going through. So join us on the Community as we read this blog to catch up with some of the recent discussions in our Thyroid cancer forum. Remember, if you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer or supporting someone living with thyroid cancer, we hope this blog can be a helpful overview of the support you can find in the Thyroid cancer…

Syed - Macmillan
"Getting cancer at our age is such a shock" - supporting adults in their 20's, 30's and 40's on the Online Community

In this first of a two-part blog, we will be investigating the support available from the Online Community when you are diagnosed as a younger adult. Being diagnosed in your 20's, 30's or 40's might mean you are more likely to need support with issues around relationships, fertility, family, money and work. In this blog, we will focus on shared experiences, fertility and family. You might be thinking about starting a family; have young children, teenagers, elderly parents or other dependants to care for. You can find the second part of the blog here which will feature conversations on relationships, career and finances. Talking about cancer, with people who understand Lots of people find it can help to have someone to talk to when you have been referred for tests for cancer, have recently…

Steph - Online Community Team
Black History Month – Support and Solidarity on the Online Community

October is Black History Month in the UK, which has been celebrated nationwide for over 30 years. The theme for this year is ‘Reclaiming narratives’, which is around sharing and recognising the contributions of Black individuals and their stories. As part of recognising and celebrating Black History Month, today we are sharing available support and Black people living with cancer who have shared their story on the Online Community. We’re also sharing reflections on Black History Month from Francesca Okosi, Macmillan’s Chief People & Culture Officer. The first Black History Month in the UK took place in 1987 and was arranged by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, who came to the UK from Ghana as a refugee in 1984. 1987 marked the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean. Black History…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Let's talk about early menopause

This Menopause Awareness Month, Boots and Macmillan Cancer Support are raising awareness of early menopause caused by cancer treatment, shining a light on the experience of those impacted and the support available through their partnership. This blog will share some support information and personal experiences of those from our Online Community. Macmillan & Boots- raising awareness together New analysis from Macmillan Cancer Support reveals that an estimated 60,000 women with cancer under 50 in the UK are struggling with hormone-related side-effects of cancer treatment such as early menopause [1] . “I finished treatment a year ago. Started menopause at 33 had a radical hysterectomy followed by chemo, radiotherapy and brachytherapy. I am on oestrogen pessary and patches. Any advice would…

Megan- Online Community Team
Cancer support, emotional support, and existing mental health needs - World Mental Health Day 2024

It’s ok to not be ok Thursday 10 October is World Mental Health Day 2024 , and we’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of the various mental health support options you can access if you or a loved one is impacted by a cancer diagnosis. It’s not uncommon to need some form of mental health support when a cancer diagnosis impacts the life of yourself or a loved one. Much like how the body’s muscles risk becoming strained under sustained exertion, experiencing a mental health difficulty is a very natural reaction to being under significant or sustained emotional stress. There is nothing at all to be ashamed of if you’re struggling. It’s common, it’s understandable, and it means that you are very much not alone! Accessing professional mental health support There are various ways…

Matthew - Online Community Team
The power of peer support- the Online Community in 2024

Each year we are humbled by the kindness and compassion our members show each other every day on the Community. W e would like to take a moment to celebrate the power of peer support in 2024. Over 21,900 new members joined us this year looking for company and connection. Around 179,000 posts, blogs, and replies were made , alongside 125,739 virtual hugs and hearts were sent. It is amazing to see so many of you supporting each other through a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and side effects alongside the emotional effects of cancer. The power of peer support Connecting with people who are in the same situation as you can be a vital part of your support system when living with cancer or supporting someone who is. It can help you feel less alone when talking to someone who knows how you are…

Megan- Online Community Team
International Nurses Day: Reflections from the Online Community

International Nurses Day (IND) is celebrated each year on 12 May, marking the birthday of Florence Nightingale. It’s a chance to honour the incredible work nurses do every day to support and care for others. In the Online Community , many members have shared how much nurses have helped during some of their most difficult times. Today, we’re sharing a few of those messages, along with ways you can speak with a nurse yourself. “I spoke to a Macmillan nurse this morning who was very reassuring and kind.” Community member, Bowel cancer forum The difference nurses make “The most amazing nurse who has been an incredible practical support both in terms of getting pain relief quickly from my GP and visits to check on progress and kept my morale up as much as possible.” Community member, Head…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Have you had your green medicine?

Picture by Winkers60 in the Spring spotting 2025 discussion thread. It’s Gardens and Health Week from 3 rd to 11th May 2025. To celebrate this, we are sharing information about Macmillan’s partner, The National Garden Scheme, and how you can get some green medicine during Gardens and Health week. What is the National Garden scheme? Our longest standing partner The National Garden Scheme have donated over £19 million to Macmillan Cancer Support since 1984, funding over 150 Macmillan nurses and professionals along with helping to fund three major care units. In honour of Gardens and Health Week 3-11 May 2025 the National Garden Scheme’s Garden and Health program brings to life the power of ‘Green Medicine’ which emphasises and raises awareness of the physical and mental health benefits…

Megan- Online Community Team
"I saw that I wasn’t alone": The power of peer support when caring for a loved one with cancer

March is Brain Cancer Awareness Month. We want to take this opportunity to highlight our Glioblastoma Multiforme Brain Tumour forum and Brain cancer forum . These are safe spaces for people affected by brain cancer, to find emotional support, discuss treatment and share experiences In this blog, we hear from Chris ( Branoc ), who joined the Online Community shortly after his wife was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. He later became a Community Champion, supporting other members affected by brain cancer for 2 years. Here, he shares some of his story and explains why he believes peer-to-peer support is so important for those affected by cancer. My wife was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (an aggressive brain tumour) in June 2022. I immediately wanted to find out everything I could about…

Dylan - Online Community Team
The Cancer Experience Forums – finding peer support to match your situation

What’s in a name? The meaning of ‘Cancer Experiences’ might not be as obvious as ‘Cancer Types’, but it’s a good way of summarising the wide variety of support groups you can find in this section. While the Cancer Types section helps members with a similar diagnosis to find and support one another, the groups in the Cancer Experiences section gathers people around the various situations and circumstances they might encounter when cancer impacts the life of themselves or a loved one. When you visit the Cancer Experiences section, you will find all of the support groups listed in alphabetical order. To help you discover which groups might be most relevant to you, this blog aims to organise the different support groups into a few common categories for you to browse. New members and general…

Matthew - Online Community Team