Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Diagnosed as a younger adult - support from the Online Community

In our recent blog ' Getting cancer at our age is such a shock - supporting adults in their 20's, 30's and 40's on the Online Community' we discussed how b eing diagnosed as a younger adult might mean you are more likely to need support with issues around relationships, fertility, family, money and work. In the first of the two part blog, we shared experiences related to fertility and family, with a focus on children and other dependants. In this second part of the blog, we are highlighting conversations on relationships, career and finances. Although many of these issues do affect people living with cancer at any age, this short blog series focuses on the experiences of members who have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 20-50. Many people describe finding it difficult to…

Steph - Online Community Team
Dating and cancer- Mason's story

Valentines’ day was last week, and we started a discussion around dating and cancer here on the Online Community. If you have a dating with cancer experience you want to share, or have been thinking about starting a new relationship but are feeling worried, join the Let’s talk about dating and cancer discussion thread. It’s a dedicated space for Community members to support each other and share personal experiences with dating. In the Lived experiences with cancer and dating blog posted last week, Lauren shares her story. At the age of 25, Lauren was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. As she navigated a cancer diagnosis and treatment, Lauren was also starting a new relationship with Danny. The couple have now been together for six years and recently got engaged. Click here to hear Lauren…

Megan- Online Community Team
Lived experiences of dating with cancer

We all deserve support, love and kindness in our lives, especially when living with cancer as you need emotional and practical support. Along with many other practical challenges cancer brings dating is one of them. Cancer treatment may have changed some of your personal relationships, your appearance and self-confidence, so you are worried about meeting new people. When the time feels right to look for a new relationship, you may find yourself asking questions like these Community members: “So, what does everyone do Re dating post breast or any cancer? Body not the same, medication has not so nice side effects and this effects various parts of my body. I work full time and have varying degrees of fatigue. Where do people go to date similar or match/companion with people who 'get it'?”…

Megan- Online Community Team
World Cancer Day - The Online Community is here for everyone

Ahead of World Cancer Day on 4 February 2025 we are highlighting the support shared on the Online Community. As the number of people with cancer is rising, Macmillan are challenging the inequalities in cancer care. We know that many people's cancer experience can be more difficult because of who they are, or where they live. Our Online Community is here for everyone, whoever you may be, or wherever you live. By asking the questions and sharing your experience, you all take a part in supporting others. Together, we can make sure no one has to go through cancer alone. Members of the Co mmunity are here to tell you how the Community has helped them and welcome you to join them in the forums. "You’re definitely NOT alone here. A few months ago, I was on this forum at all hours of the day…

Steph - Online Community Team
New Year, New Dates - Local Cancer Community Meet-ups 2025

Welcome to 2025! If you're in Birmingham, Bradford, Cardiff, Dundee, Glasgow Coatbridge, or Rochester, and you fancy chatting face-to-face with other people affected by cancer... we're delighted to announce even more opportunities to make new friends. 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 system is a safer way to discuss specific meet-up plans with friends on the forum. Please see our guide to Private Messages and Friends…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Supporting men with breast cancer in the Online Community

In our October 2021 Community News blog for breast cancer awareness month we linked to some Macmillan information on male breast cancer with the hope it could help people find that information when they need it. A breast cancer diagnosis in men is rare, so it can feel particularly isolating when going through diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Recently, a new member of the Community posted in our breast cancer group , looking for other men going through similar experiences . In this blog, we will be highlighting the conversation that followed with the intention of helping others find the group and join in. There is lots of support offered to everyone in the breast cancer support groups across our Online Community . “ Hi, I have recently joined this female dominated cancer world I have had…

Steph - Online Community Team
Prostate Cancer - How does our Community help?

March marks Prostate Cancer awareness month. You may have seen Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City Football Club, donning the famous ‘Man of Men’ badge as well as billboards in various sports signposting to Prostate Cancer UK . According to Prostate Cancer UK , 1 in 8 will encounter at some point, however those odds are increased to 1 in 4 if you are black. It affects a lot of members in the Community; however, what kind of support is available for members on the Community? So in this blog, let’s take a deep dive into Prostate Cancer and how members support each other on the Prostate Cancer forum . As we nestle into the middle of March, we are also in the middle of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month . This month has been highlighted to provide the information, signs and symptoms to…

Syed - Macmillan
Travel Tips from our Cancer Forums

The neck pillows, the duty-free attendants waiting to spray you in the latest cologne or perfume, using your passport as a fan and the extortionate in-flight meal price. It seems like it’s that time again. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go abroad, a quiet break a few towns away is just as good to replenish and recharge. As we approach the tail-end of Summer, we take a look on the Community at how our lovely members provide their experiences to help others to try and have the best trip they can. Every person’s definition of holiday is different. You can go biking in a national park on a quaint family holiday, you can relax by the swimming pool at a hotel in Thailand or even explore some affordable staycations. Whatever the plan is, you can look to the Community for some summer holiday…

Syed - Macmillan
Catching up with the Soft Tissue sarcoma forum

With the many different Community groups you can get support from here, it’s not always possible to keep up to date with everything that’s being discussed. This blog is highlighting some of the recent discussions from the Soft tissue Sarcoma forum to help keep our members connected with each other. Although you may not share the same cancer type, there will probably be some similarities with the questions asked from emotional challenges and practical needs. There may be some featured discussions that you relate to in this blog so stay and have a read, you may find some comfort from knowing you're not alone with how you are feeling. “I’m sure these forums will help as well to connect with those in a similar situation.” Community member, Soft tissue Sarcoma forum What are members posting…

Megan- Online Community Team
Online Community downtime: Thursday 21st July 2022- 7am to 10am

There is some planned maintenance taking place on Macmillan’s website on Thursday 21st July, from 7am-10am. So that this essential maintenance can take place, the Online Community will experience some downtime. This means that members will not be able to log in, or join the Online Community, between 7 am - 10am On Thursday 21st July 2022. We know how important the Community is as a source of support for our members, so we always do our best to ensure the site is not unavailable for any longer than necessary. Please know that while the site is down, although you will not be able to create an account, log into the site or post, you will still be able to view the Community and read posts and discussions for support. We understand that this may impact members who rely on the Online Community…

Megan- Online Community Team
Managing cancer and side effects at work: Elvina’s story

Do you feel you have the right support at work? Lots of people affected by cancer, like Elvina, don’t always feel they have the support they need from their employer, manager, or from the sickness policies in place at work. Lots of people may feel worried about work when they are affected by cancer. Here in the Online Community, we’re featuring a new series working with Macmillan’s Digital Storytelling Project, where people affected by cancer have created their own videos to talk about their experiences. As July’s story of the month, Elvina is sharing her experiences of working while affected by cancer and what employers need to do better. “How am I going to get through this work shift today?” Elvina’s video, titled “You Look Well,” is about her experiences at work following her cancer…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Rebellious hope – Reflecting on the legacy of Dame Deborah James

Credit: Dan Williams / The Sun / News Licensing Here on the Community team, we were all very saddened to hear that Dame Deborah James had passed away from Bowel cancer at the end of June. After spending some time reflecting on what she meant to those affected by Bowel cancer, and thinking about her amazing legacy, we wanted to dedicate today’s Community News Blog to Deborah and all those who knew and loved her. Deborah was an incredible inspiration to so many and fought to raise awareness of Bowel cancer and the vital importance of breaking the taboo around talking about poo. Our Community members were understandably impacted by Deborah’s passing. Below are some of the many tributes for Deborah our members posted. We hope you will join us in keeping her family and loved ones in your thoughts…

Former Member