Community News - Macmillan Online Community

‘I felt so much love and support from my fellow carers that sometimes my screen was in danger from the wet of my tears! - What the Community means to me…Vol 3: moomy’s story

A very Happy New year from everyone on the Community Team, we are excited to kick off the year on the Community News Blog with the third volume in our series ‘ What the Community means to me…’ This series highlights just how much support, friendship and kindness is shared on the site every day. Today moomy shares her story, why not take a moment to read through? Missed the last instalment? You can click here to read Johnty and popgate’s stories. ‘I’m really called Helen. I know, the onsite name isn’t my real one! I joined the Online Community so many years back that I’ve seen it change a few times. I’m not even sure quite how long ago it was that I joined. It was then organised into two main groups, ‘General’ and ‘Chat’. I posted a question in ‘General’ but looked across at ‘Chat’ and saw…

Former Member
“It is a juggling act being a cancer patient and a parent.” – Priyanka’s story

Priyanka was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 36 in 2022. Priyanka lives in Aylesbury, with her husband, Manoj and two daughters, Keya and Shriyana who were 4 years old and 2 years old at the time of the diagnosis. Priyanka is a qualified teacher. Since, being diagnosed with cancer, she has gone on to become a life coach for children, supporting them through life’s challenges. Also, a published author, Priyanka has penned a heartfelt children’s book, When Mummy Had Cancer. Priyanka’s story Your world falls apart when you hear the words, you have cancer. Mine did too! You automatically think it’s a death sentence. When you have two young children, it’s terrifying. My first reaction was, what will happen to my girls? I want to be there to see them grow up. Experience…

Megan- Online Community Team
Talking about cancer - Vol 1 - Debbie

Speaking about a cancer experience can help you and others, here on the Community the power of shared experience is all around us: ‘It really is reassuring to know others have trodden the path I am fearing to tread… It makes me feel I am not alone in this.’ - mamachimp Thank you for sharing your personal story…I’m feeling much more supported and not alone. Thank you so much for taking the time to sharing your thoughts, I find them incredibly motivating.’ - Jatz But what about sharing your experiences more publicly? Today we are starting a new miniseries about how some of our Community members found speaking to the press about their cancer experience. Debbie is our first guest blogger of the series and is sharing her experience of speaking to ITV Channel Island News about her Bowel cancer…

Former Member
Cancer and the menopause - looking back on Menopause Awareness Month on the Online Community

Looking back on October, Menopause Awareness Month , we will be highlighting conversations from across the Community related to menopause and cancer. Members have been discussing menopausal symptoms related to their cancer treatment. Some members might be experiencing an early menopause due to their cancer treatment, or coping with a natural menopause whilst living with cancer. Members also discussed coping with menopause at the same time as caring for a loved one with cancer or during a bereavement. Whatever your experience, the Online Community is here for you if you want to talk about any issues relating to menopause and cancer. In the breast cancer forum, members have been talking about early or sudden menopause. “Just getting used to the new me from the hormone therapy - I was…

Steph - Online Community Team
"I make a habit of crying. I consider myself to be quite good…”

One of our Wellbeing Champs here at Macmillan, Nat, recently shared with me a blog she wrote on how she discovered it was alright to be sensitive, to be emotional – to cry. The above follows Nat’s recent “rollercoaster of a mental health journey”, as she describes it – and whilst Nat’s story might not directly relate to cancer, I hope you perhaps read this and think that whatever you might be going through right now, it’s alright to feel emotional, to be sensitive, perhaps overwhelmed or even angry. The Community’s a place for you to share, talk about and help each other cope with these emotions – so go ahead and share! I was taken back to my 4th year at junior school, 5 days residential today for the first time in 30 years. As I stood in the school hall waiting for the coach to arrive…

Former Member
Finding support for adenoid cystic carcinoma

This blog is a way of getting to know the Adenoid cystic carcinoma forum . We’re looking at the questions and personal experiences that have been shared on the Online Community. Adenoid cystic carcinoma also known as ACC, is known to be a rarer form of cancer in the salivary gland and can be found in other places of the head and neck too. If you’re looking for information or want to know how you can support other Community members with a rare cancer, stay and read this blog post. There are hundreds of different cancers, some are more common than others. About 1 in 5 people with cancer in the UK have a form of rare cancer and about 1 in 3 of those rare cancers are very rare types. A cancer may be referred to as ‘rare’ because it is a subtype of a more common cancer or because it is in an…

Megan- 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
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
Transgender awareness week

Friday 13 th November to Friday 20 th November is Transgender awareness week. To support this, we wanted to make our members aware of our LGBT+ forum . Should you need support for living with a cancer diagnosis and identifying as Transgender, this is a safe place for you to access support. It is a place for you to speak to others who may have had a similar experience and who can understand how you may be feeling. What does Transgender mean? Transgender is a term to refer to all people who do not identify as their assigned gender at birth/and or the binary male/female gender system. Assigned Gender is the gender a person is given at birth and what gets written on their birth certificate when they are a baby. Gender identity is a personal concept of oneself as either male, female, both…

Megan- Online Community Team
Trans Day of Visibility 2021

Trans Day of Visibility, or International Transgender Day of Visibility, is a worldwide day to celebrate trans people and raise awareness. It’s difficult to know how many trans people in the UK and across the world are affected by cancer. However, we know that trans people may experience inequalities and difficulties in accessing the right healthcare treatment and support. It’s important to seek the right medical help and guidance if you have a symptom which is worrying you. Cancer Research UK have some online information around cancer screenings if you are trans or non-binary . If you’re interested in reading more about what being transgender means or finding some other resources if you’re transgender and affected by cancer, take a look at our Transgender Awareness Week blog . Whether…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Travel Insurance and Cancer - your questions answered by an expert

The importance of getting the right cover Are you planning on taking a holiday this year? Perhaps you're looking for a little extra summer sun? Or maybe a winter escape for when the weather turns chilly? Whatever you're planning, there are some travel essentials that no holidaymaker should leave home without. Packing the right travel documents, currency, and clothing for your trip is very important. But what about your insurance? Have you checked your travel insurance plan covers your specific holiday itinerary? Does it cover your specific health needs? If you or someone you're traveling with has a cancer diagnosis, it is vital you have the insurance cover to match. Meet Fiona This is Fiona. She loves to travel. Fiona has first-hand experience of what it's like to be impacted by…

Matthew - Online Community Team
We're here for you: Find cancer support services near you

Right support, right place Being told you have cancer can be very difficult. It can take up a lot of your time, energy, and emotional strength. That’s why it’s important that cancer support is easy to find, easy to use, and easy to understand. Macmillan offers a wide range of support services that can be accessed from nearly anywhere. You can talk to Macmillan advisers directly by contacting our Macmillan Support Line . You can connect with other people to share similar experiences and offer support using our free and anonymous Online Community site. But sometimes, you may need support that is in-person and close to where you live. That’s where our local cancer support search tool comes in. Fast, vast, and always up-to-date Our new and improved local cancer support search tool now…

Matthew - Online Community Team