Community News - Macmillan Online Community

May is sun awareness month - let's talk about the sun, sunburn and skin cancer

We often refer to the sun when talking about happy times. Saying that sunny days make us feel good or telling someone you hope the sun shines for them. Comments about enjoying the sun might not always be appropriate, especially for people affected by skin cancer. We should be mindful of this when we're talking to others. We should also remember that sun awareness is a really important issue for us all. Sun exposure can put you at risk of sunburn, or skin damage. Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun is the main cause of most skin cancers. UV light damages the DNA (genetic material) in our skin cells and can cause skin cancer. In this Community News blog, we'll feature conversations from our skin cancer and melanoma forums. You'd be very welcome to join in if you have your own tips or questions…

Steph - Online Community Team
Cancer & me 35 years on - Vol 6 - The Abdominoperineal Resection with Colostomy

Today in our Community News blog Willo is back with the sixth instalment of her guest blog series called ‘Cancer & me 35 years on’ . In this series, Willo, known on the Community as patsyann85 , tells us about her experience of being diagnosed with Anal cancer in 1986 while living in Zambia. We will be sharing more of Willo’s writing and incredible artwork throughout the next few months in the Community News . If you missed Vol 5 – ‘Jolly hockey sticks’ you can click here to catch up. I returned to Zambia, still working furiously (as I said previously, being faced with your own mortality really spurs you on) and everything was going smoothly until 18 months later when during a regular check-up my doctor (George again) felt something higher in the rectum. I could feel him flicking his finger…

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
Cancer & me 35 years on - Vol 11 Good news, bad news

We are back today with the next instalment of Willo’s blog series ‘Cancer & me 35 years on’. Willo is a member of our Community who was diagnosed with Anal cancer in 1986 while living in Zambia and has been sharing her experience of life post diagnosis, as well as her amazing artwork, in her blog series with us since last summer. So far Willo has covered her experience of moving back to England for treatment, her Brachytherapy and Abdominoperineal Resection and the amazing friends and family that helped her through. In today’s blog we pick back up with Willo as she prepares to start a university course in Graphic design at Liverpool Poly. Sketch by Willo - Wigan to Euston 'Once more I heard him snort – “see your solicitor – write to your MP – don’t give up!” I did just that and got…

Former Member
Coffee, cake and catching up with the Community

Lots of us enjoy an occasional treat. Whatever you’re going through, it’s good to have something to look forward to. September is the month of the famous ‘ World’s Biggest Coffee Morning ’ where people all over the world get together whilst fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support . In celebration of coffee mornings everywhere, in this Community News Blog we will be exploring the Community’s love of baking and getting together. What’s your favourite treat? Earlier in the year, Community member Mum started a baking thread, sharing a photo of their freshly baked chocolate mocha muffins. We thought they looked so delicious that we have used their image to accompany this blog. "I think a few people here like baking cakes and a few more perhaps like eating them and discussing…

Steph - Online Community Team
Finding support with Bile Duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)

In this Community News Blog, we'll be highlighting the support shared in the Community's bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) forum and sharing some other ways you can find help. When you or your loved one has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) , it's important you can find the right emotional support. The Online Community's bile duct cancer forum is an online cancer support group. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you can find support from people who understand. Because they've been there themselves. You might be looking for tips to help you get the best from your cancer nurse and health care team or ideas around coping with side effects and improving quality of life. You might just need to talk. Whatever support you're looking for, the bile duct cancer…

Steph - Online Community Team
World Cancer Day 2026

World cancer day image: Alt text- Green and white graphic reading “World Cancer Day” with an illustrated green globe forming the letter “O” in “World.” Below, the date “4th February” is displayed, representing global awareness and solidarity for cancer care. On World Cancer Day, Macmillan stands in solidarity with the millions of people affected by cancer and welcomes the Government’s new National Cancer Plan for England. By raising awareness and calling for better care across the UK, we’re supporting a future where everyone gets the help they need, when they need it most. No one should have to face cancer feeling lost or alone. At least every 75 seconds, someone’s life changes with a cancer diagnosis in the UK. That is almost 1,200 people across the UK on average are diagnosed with cancer…

Megan- Online Community Team
Our members are here for you

Today we wanted to take some time to highlight the amazing support that our members provide to one another each and every day here on the Community. Whether you need practical info on what others found useful to bring along to treatment, information on what support is out there, or simply someone to share how your day’s been with, our Community cancer forum is here for you. No matter what has brought you to the site, no matter how cancer has affected your life, our members will support you through, and the kindness of strangers soon becomes the kindness of friends. Here on the team we know how amazing each of our Community members are at supporting one another, but we wanted to let the below quotes speak for themselves. “You are probably on the ceiling at the moment and don’t know which…

Former Member
What do you wish you had known before diagnosis? The Online Community helps.

Our new blog mini-series is based on a question ‘what you wish you had known’. The blogs feature different cancer treatments or situations you might be facing. We’re bringing the Community together to share hints and tips. Today we’re encouraging the sharing of your experiences of diagnosis. We know how helpful it can be to hear from someone who has been through it themselves. If you are facing a cancer diagnosis we hope this blog will help you find the suggestions you need. Everyone’s diagnosis journey is different – but some advice helps us all "I'm glad I got advice here about making lots of notes and asking lots of questions. It's helped me feel in control." - Community member, Prostate cancer forum “Things will get easier when you know what you’re dealing with and what your treatment…

Steph - Online Community Team
Catching up with the Liver Cancer Forums for Liver Cancer Awareness Month

October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month . In this Community News Blog we will be catching up with the liver cancer forum and the secondary liver cancer forum on the Community to see what support has been shared during the run up to the month . The liver cancer forum and the secondary liver cancer forums are friendly online support groups for anyone with liver cancer, or for anyone supporting a loved one with liver cancer. Both forums are places where you can share your thoughts, worries and anything else you might be going through with people who have been there themselves. Support on diagnosis If you or your loved one has recently been diagnosed with liver cancer, it can be comforting to be able to speak to people in similar circumstances. "I was diagnosed with inoperable…

Steph - Online Community Team
Lung Cancer Awareness Month - support and kindness shared in the lung cancer forum

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. In this Community News Blog we will be catching up with the lung cancer forum on the Community. The lung cancer forum, which you can find here is a friendly online support group for anyone with lung cancer , or for anyone supporting a loved one with lung cancer . It’s a place where you can share your thoughts, worries and anything else you might be going through with people who have been there themselves. Read the blog to find out what support has been shared in our lung cancer support community recently. “I have only been a member here for just over a week but find it really helpful.” Community member, lung cancer forum Thinking of joining the Community for support? When you or your family member has been diagnosed, it can be a whirlwind…

Steph - Online Community Team
Feeling the heat? Here are some tips to help you stay cool

This week, parts of the UK will reach record-breaking temperatures. It's nice to be able to enjoy the summer weather, but wherever you are and whatever your plans are, we hope you manage to stay cool and be safe in the sunshine. This blog can be used as a useful resource if you're looking for some guidance on keeping cool in the heat. If you have any tips that you'd like to share, there's a comment box at the bottom of the page. Click here to add your comment. The heat may affect you in different ways when you’re living with cancer. You may find that the side effects of treatment are making it difficult for you to stay hydrated and regulate your body temperature. On the Community, there are people who understand what you’re going through, so we’re sharing some tips to help you stay cool…

Megan- Online Community Team