Community News - Macmillan Online Community

CBD oil - amendment to Macmillan's Online Community Guidelines

Over the past couple of months, CBD (or cannabidiol) oil has risen in popularity with increased availability of the product. As a result, it’s often been a popular discussion topic on the Community. Due to our Community Guidelines though, discussions on cannabis and its derivatives have always been banned. However, with CBD oil becoming readily available on UK high streets earlier this year, coupled with increased research and awareness into the product and its benefits, the Online Community Team has decided to allow these conversations to take place. It should though be noted that if discussions on CBD oil develop into discussions on cannabis itself, we’ll continue to remove this content – this is because cannabis itself is still an illegal product in the UK. Here are the updated guidelines…

Former Member
What’s it all for anyway?

There are certain events in life that can really make you question the meaning of it all. Why do we fight so hard to go swimming in one direction just to have the tide change and drop us in waters we never planned for, miles away from where we thought we were going. The fear caused by uncertainty and the unknown can be powerful and paralysing, but that’s not necessarily the end of the story. “ in my times of uncertainty this community has been a saving grace for me. I want you to know you are not alone.” – BeeWise02 - original post Image description: a vast body of water, vibrant with colours created by the sun behind clouds. Often those dealing with the most can be the most inspiring. The strength and depth of character displayed by those affected by cancer, in times of uncertainty…

Tom C - Online Community team
Catching up with the ‘Anal cancer’ group

Here on the Online Community, we have lots of different groups where you can find support from someone with a similar diagnosis. If you or your loved one have been diagnosed with a form of anal cancer, the ‘Anal cancer’ group is a safe place to find support. In the Community News blog today, we’re going to feature some recent discussions and highlight how supportive our members are. Our members are here to reassure you that you’re not alone, and it’s ok to talk about what you’re going through. “Ask, Ask Ask away, there's so many people on here that will be able to help and offer support. Also, don't think anything is too much information or too gross to talk about it. It's all been asked before.” Community member, ‘Anal cancer’ group Some members recently welcomed a new member to the…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Approaching Autumn - Celebrating the Online Community Seasonal Picture Festivals

Image: a collage of photos from Community Members - 'W ith a peaceful theme' As we approach Autumn, we are launching a new Picture Festival thread whilst taking some time to look back on the Spring and Summer pictures members have contributed in 2025. We asked members of our Express Yourself forum to share pictures of their Spring and Summer. This could include pictures of nature, art and crafts, pets or more. A big thank you to everyone who shared their images this year. We know that it can bring many of you joy to share and see pictures of nature here on the Community. Can you see your image shared in the blog? As the nights draw in and the weather is changing, images from Spring and Summer might help us all feel a little brighter. We are also looking forward to the changing colours…

Steph - Online Community Team
"People are afraid to use the word cancer in our Community." - Nahida and Saddiya tell us more

Nahida & Saddiya speak in their Mother Tongue Sylheti, a dialect of Bengali, to talk about some of the cultural stigmas when faced with a cancer diagnosis. This video is part of Macmillan’s mother tongue project. (3 minutes and 54 seconds). We hope to feature different lived experiences here on the Online Community to represent different ethnic cultures and communities, so nobody feels they are facing cancer alone. Please see an English transcript written below. There are also English subtitles available when watching the video. For additional support information in other languages, scroll see the 'Additional support information' section at the bottom of this page. Transcript Saddiya : People are afraid to use the word cancer in our Community. They immediately panic the moment…

Megan- Online Community Team
A day in the life of...an Online Community officer

When looking round the Community recently you may have noticed a new ‘chat with us’ button appearing when looking at our ‘Ask an Expert’ section or our ‘ Help pages ’. This is our new Webchat feature and we are really pleased to let you know that the Community team will now be available to live chat with Community users Monday – Friday 9am-5pm to help answer your technical questions. For more information about webchat and how it works, please click here to read our recent blog. We thought, therefore, that it would be great to start a new Community News blog series showing you the faces behind webchat. We have started our ‘A day in the life of...' blog today with Community team member Rachel, who is here to tell you a bit more about what she does day to day to help support those affected by…

Former Member
"Being diagnosed at a young age affected me more than I ever imagined." - Diagnosed at a young age: Gbear

After last month’s work-focused ‘Diagnosed at a young age’ piece with Ginajsy , this week sees Gbear opens up to the Community - sharing with us the impact her diagnosis had on both her family and social life, as well as its emotional impact. Being diagnosed at a young age affected me more than I ever imagined... This was me, pretty much a carefree scuba diver. I used to work retail which paid for my holidays to Egypt where I did most of my diving, aged 37. All this changed when I realised that something was very wrong and went to see my GP, who was great very understanding and got me sent off to the hospital to get scans done. I found that I was bleeding in-between periods at first just spotting but I kept feeling sharp pain that wasn’t normal. This was July 2016, I had been told that…

Former Member
'Talking Cancer' - Macmillan's new podcast

In today’s news blog, we hear from Katie who works in our media team here at Macmillan. She’s writing today to tell our Community all about a new podcast, ‘Talking Cancer’, that’s been created with the aims to share experiences and hear from people affected by cancer. Hi everyone! We wanted to be the first to tell you that the first two episodes of ‘Talking Cancer’, the new national Macmillan podcast, are now downloadable on all main podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts. Tune in to hear heart-warming, intimate conversations between Radio DJ and Macmillan supporter Emma B and the people living with, or affected by, cancer who have taken the time to share their stories about one of the toughest times of their lives. Emma also has a chat with Macmillan professional…

Ellen - Macmillan
Life after cancer: Navigating unique challenges with people who understand

On the 2 nd of June, Cancer Survivors Day invited us to celebrate life and raise awareness and support for people living after cancer. Life after cancer can be challenging for many individuals. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to navigate these alone. Macmillan and the Online Community are here to help. We have a dedicated Life after Cancer forum , for members of the Community who have finished treatment. It is a space to discuss things like the physical and emotional aftereffects of cancer, returning to work, or trying to move on with your life. In this blog, we'll focus on our "Life after cancer forum" and provide links to resources and helpful contacts. Feeling stuck A member of the Community was struggling, feeling stuck after living with a cancer diagnosis. They reached…

Dylan - 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
"...putting on make-up and knowing I look good gives me a boost..." - Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors

The visible side effects of cancer treatment can arguably have a huge impact on a life. It can change how your body looks, works or feels, and really impact on a patient's confidence. Patient.info editorial assistant, Milly Evans recently put together a post for the Patient.info website entitled How to manage the visible side effects of cancer treatment . In it she talks to one of our Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors , Natasha, offers some top tips on how to feel more like yourself as you face cancer.. Here's Milly's piece... Cancer and cancer treatment not only have an impact on your physical well-being but also change your appearance and skin. Some are able to embrace these changes whilst others can struggle with confidence and feeling themselves. Lost identity... For Anita Brown…

Megan- Online Community Team
LGBT+ History Month - How can you get involved?

This LGBT+ History Month, we first want to acknowledge that it’s not enough to have one month to highlight, listen to and learn from LGBT+ people and their experiences. Here on the Online Community, we aim to provide a place to for everyone affected by cancer to find support 365 days a year. We want to do everything we can to ensure the Online Community is as helpful and supportive a place as possible. Macmillan’s “Emerging Picture” report acknowledges how the needs and experiences of LGBT+ people affected by cancer can be very different. It highlights how LGBT+ people who are diagnosed with cancer can have poorer patient experiences. The report also explains how it can be difficult for LGBT+ people to find accurate and tailored information and support. For example, the NHS released information…

Eliza -Online Community Team