Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Exercise and moving your body

Audrey who is a Macmillan Nurse Specialist on the Support Line, and in our Ask an Nurse section, has been speaking to people living with cancer about staying active and exercising. In today’s Community News Blog, Audrey is sharing information and some resources at the end to help you move your body. You will find the resource links at the bottom of the page. In a time where we are all trying to adjust to the constant changes that covid-19 is having on our lives, it is hard to keep up with it all. Having a cancer diagnosis and treatment during the covid-19 pandemic can be scary, lonely and life-altering. Trying to keep a routine and remain active can be even more difficult for people living with cancer. Knowing how best to stay safe and remain active is a common question cancer patients…

Megan- Online Community Team
Let's talk about cancer and hair loss

A side effect of some cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies might cause hair loss. Members often come to the Community looking for support or advice with hair and scalp issues. In this Community News Blog, we’ll be highlighting conversations in the Community around hair loss and hair re-growth. Your hair might feel like an important part of your appearance and identity. Often, when your hair looks good, you feel good. For some, losing their hair is one of the hardest parts of having treatment. For others, it is not as bad as they expected. If you’re worried about hair loss, or have questions around hair care, scalp cooling, wigs, hats, turbans and scarves the Community is here to help. You can find out what to expect from people who’ve been through it…

Steph - Online Community Team
Join the Autumn spotting festival 2026

Today we are launching the 2026 Autumn spotting festival. It is a dedicated space to share seasonal joy. This discussion is a space to connect with others during the cooler and darker evenings through a shared appreciation for seasonal crafts, recipes, and hobbies. You are welcome to share: Craft and creative projects Self-care tips Any pictures of the autumn season you may have taken Hobbies you like to do during the autumn months Recipes- it is the season for comfort food, after all. Poems and creative writing Join the Autumn spotting 2026 discussion To help you get involved in the discussion, here is a snapshot of what was posted in the 2025 Autumn spotting chat. Thank you to everyone who got involved. We hope you will enjoy the seasonal posts again this year. BlueBlue…

Megan- Online Community Team
How are you really?

Did you know there is a theory that when you ask someone how they are, you should to ask twice to get a truthful answer? Think about it, how many times have you been asked, ‘how are you?’ and you have answered with ‘fine thanks how are you? Sometimes replying with this is easier than explaining how you really feel if you’re struggling. If you ask ‘How are you?’ again, you may find you will get a different answer. Asking twice shows you care and are not asking out of politeness. If you answered 'I'm fine thank you' in the above poll, my question is, how are you really? Tell us in the comment box below. Benefits of talking Putting your thoughts into words will often help you understand what you are feeling and why. You may have lots of different emotions. Having someone listen to…

Megan- Online Community Team
A lighthouse in someone’s storm- Being an Online Community Champion

You may remember Jane2511 from her other blogs, ‘ Life one year later ’ and ‘ The importance of our pets during our cancer journey ’ . In today’s blog Jane is talking about her role as an Online Community Champion and why she gives back to the Community that helped her. “I became a Community Champion last year because I felt strongly that I wanted to give back to the community that helped me. ” "During my diagnosis and treatments for endometrial carcinoma sarcoma in 2022 one of the first places I turned to was Macmillan. I discovered the Online Community and never looked back. 24 hours a day I could post for support, share experiences with others and learn about my condition. Even reading other people’s previous posts help reinforce that with Macmillan you are not alone. Cancer is hard…

Megan- Online Community Team
Life One Year Later- Jane’s story

Jane recently shared her ‘ Importance of pets during our cancer journey’ blog and is back as a guest blogger to share her reflections on her Endometrial cancer experiences one year later. She talks about some of the lasting effects from her chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments and also about dealing with the fear of recurrence. Jane also talks about how she recognises the positive changes on her life and talks about her volunteering role as a Community Champion. I am just coming up to a year since my treatments ended, the cancer has gone but life has changed. I think that when the treatments end, there is time where you can begin to try to process it all. The endless trips to hospital have stopped and now it is just once every twelve weeks. You sort of almost forget it until the letter…

Megan- Online Community Team
Cancer and Anxiety

Both bowel and testicular cancer awareness months happen in April. Whilst cancer diagnoses can vary hugely, the feelings and emotional experiences can sometimes be similar. In today’s Community News Blog, we are talking about cancer and anxiety. Whether it be anxiety around physical symptoms, concerns about upcoming cancer treatment, or even anxiety you can’t quite ‘label’ - we are here to talk about it all. Where to Start "I just seem to have no bounce. No urgency in myself. I’ve lost something within." - Online Community member. A cancer experience can impact your confidence and of course bring a lot of stress. Cancer treatment, and it’s side effects, can impact mental health. Whether you have a diagnosed anxiety disorder or not, we know from our members how hard it can be to ‘find a new…

Tom C - Online Community team
Looking back at the Online Community in 2022

We’re coming to the end of 2022 and as the new year approaches, we wanted to take some time to look back at what’s happened on the Online Community this year. This blog is a short overview of some Community highlights. The Online Community team would firstly like to thank all our members for the kindness and support that you have shown each other this year. There have been over 75,802 posts in our Community groups which shows the tremendous amount of peer support that can be found here. We’ve had lots of new members join our Community in 2022 and the power of peer support grows every day in our Community groups. Connecting with others who share similar experiences can provide comfort and reassurance. There's spaces for loved ones and those living with cancer to find support 24/7. “Coming…

Megan- Online Community Team
Coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis

This blog is looking at how our Community members process the news of a cancer diagnosis. Some mourn and grieve for the life they once knew before being impacted by cancer and some find comfort from having the answers they may have been waiting a long time for. However you are feeling, you're not alone. There's others talking about how they they are coping here on the Community so stay and read this blog to hopefully draw some comfort from these shared experiences. Do you find yourself mourning for the life before cancer? The term mourning is usually described as an expression of sorrow and is typically used in the context of someone passing away. When someone dies, you mourn this loss. For some, when they are diagnosed with cancer, it can feel like you have lost a part or version of you…

Megan- Online Community Team
Accessing support during the festive season

This blog includes information about the support you can access over the festive season. This time of year, there are many celebrations taking place, and it’s often a chance to spend quality time with our loved ones. If you need a break from the festivities or are struggling with your emotions, we are here to help. With many support services closing for the holidays, we want to make sure you know how to access cancer support when you need it. “I do hope you can get the help you want - it's hard, especially at this time of the year.” Community member, Family and friends forum Support from Macmillan Support from a medical professional 24-hour helplines and webchat services Support from the Online Community Support from Macmillan The Macmillan Support…

Megan- Online Community Team
Staying in the present at Christmas: how I coped with each 'last time'

This blog was originally published in December 2022. It has been updated by the original author to include their most recent experiences. When a loved one has an incurable cancer diagnosis, it can be hard to avoid thinking about what events might be 'the last time'. The last holiday season. The last birthday. The last anniversary. Macmillan and the Online Community are both here to help you through what may be the hardest days and weeks of the year. Wee Me’s husband was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumour in September 2020. She has previously shared her experience as a carer and family member on Community News. In today’s blog, Wee Me is talking about how she’s learned to navigate and cope with those potential 'last times'. “My husband’s initial prognosis in September 2020 was…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Supporting yourself while supporting someone with incurable cancer (Part 1)

A loved one’s cancer diagnosis can have just as large an impact as a personal diagnosis. Our Cancer Information and Support Advisor, Jenna, is here to talk through some of the complicated emotions you might feel, and ways you can help yourself cope. December is a time where usually we might feel we ‘should’ be feeling positive and festive. I’m conscious that for so many this will be an incredibly difficult time. The shorter days and dark nights, not to mention current restrictions, are likely to have a real impact on our mood and our routines. This can leave many people supporting someone with incurable cancer feeling isolated. I want to reach out with a gentle reminder: although it can feel like it, you don’t have to go through this alone. It is important to look after yourself and remember…

Eliza -Online Community Team