Community News

March’s wellbeing Wednesday- Mindfulness, Music and Meditation

Waiting for test results and having treatment can cause issues with managing emotions and struggling to sleep. This blog includes some mind-body therapy information, alongside some wellbeing tips. These may be useful if you are having trouble sleeping or want to try some new coping strategies. Have you heard of mind-body therapies? Mind-body therapies are based on the belief that what we think and feel can affect how our bodies function. They have no effect on the cancer but may be used to help you feel less anxious, improve your mood and help you sleep. They may also help with symptoms such as pain or help you cope with side effects caused by cancer treatment. The mind-body therapies used by people with cancer in the UK include: relaxation techniques meditation mindfulness …

Local Cancer Community Meet-ups - New Dates, More Locations!

Macmillan's 'Cancer Community Meet-ups' program has been extended. This time, we don't just have new dates... we also have more locations! Are you in Birmingham, Bradford , Preston, Rochester, Washington, or Watford ? Do you fancy chatting face-to-face with other people affected by cancer? If so, 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…

Wenda’s Story. Cancer and Afro hair care after chemotherapy

Image above: Wenda in 2026 Wenda AKA Sonia101 on the Online Community was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. She wrote a short memoir about her cancer journey to help inspire others with breast cancer. The book “Faith over Cancer” focuses on Wenda’s persisting faith in God throughout her cancer treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy. As part of her memoir, Wenda also shares her experiences of losing her afro hair following chemotherapy and afro hair care following regrowth. Wenda told us she found it more difficult to find information about afro hair and cancer treatment. Macmillan want to make sure we offer cancer support relevant to you, whoever you may be. In this Community News Blog, we are sharing excerpts and photos from Wenda’s memoir, sharing her experience of hair loss…

Our Community Champions - "the 'glue' that binds us all together!"

Volunteers Week takes place from 1st to 7th June 2026. This blog celebrates the dedication, commitment, and valued contributions that our wonderful Online Community Champions make to the Community each and every day. Who are our Online Community Champions? Over the past year, our Community Champions have contributed more than 13,242 posts, reflecting the ongoing kindness, encouragement, and support they provide to other members every day. A huge thank you to: chris2012 , rily , src60 , Thehighlander , latchbrook , lesleyhelen , Nikki65 , Beesuit , chellesimo , Irishgirl16 , WeeMe , Daisy53 , SarahH21 , Kasvin , jane2511 , Millibob , excavator , Coddfish , Jamie696 Words of appreciation from Community members “Thank you to all the Community Champions! They are the 'glue' that binds…

South Asian Heritage Month 2026

Are you from a South Asian background and affected by cancer? Have you ever wished you could talk to someone who understands the cultural, family or faith-related challenges that can come with a cancer diagnosis? South Asian Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the history, cultures and contributions of South Asian communities in the UK. It is also an opportunity to recognise that people from South Asian communities can experience unique challenges when navigating cancer, and that these challenges can continue long after awareness campaigns and heritage celebrations have ended. A cancer diagnosis can affect every part of life. Alongside treatment, appointments and recovery, many people are also navigating family responsibilities, cultural expectations, faith, language barriers and conversations…

Newly diagnosed with cancer? Advice from Macmillan’s Online Community

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can bring overwhelming emotions, uncertainty and many questions. It can be difficult to know what to do or where to turn, especially in those first few days. It can help to hear from people who have been there before. Last month, we asked members of the Online Community what they would say to themselves on the day they were diagnosed with cancer. We wanted to know what words of advice they would offer, anything they wish they had known at the time, and what helped them most during those early days. In this blog, we’ve brought together some of the replies our members shared. We hope their experiences, advice and words of encouragement will help anyone who has recently been diagnosed with cancer feel a little less alone and more prepared. Take things one step…

Are you LGBTQIA+ and living with cancer?

Have you ever felt like parts of your identity or experience were not fully understood during your cancer journey? While everyone’s experience is different, Macmillan recognises that LGBTQIA+ people can face additional barriers across the cancer pathway. Alongside treatment, appointments and recovery, many people also navigate questions about identity, and how to communicate needs to others. Some challenges LGBTQIA+ people face: Worrying if healthcare professionals will understand and respect your relationships or family structure. Having to repeatedly explain pronouns, names, identities or family structures during treatment. Feeling uncomfortable correcting assumptions about gender identity or sexual orientation during appointments. Worrying if partners, chosen family…

Disability Pride Month

Are you living with a disability following cancer treatment? Support is available. July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate disabled people, challenge stigma and recognise the diversity of disabled experiences. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge that for many people affected by cancer, the impact of cancer does not end when treatment finishes. For some people, cancer can lead to a disability or long-term health condition. Others may have been disabled before their cancer diagnosis and find that cancer adds new challenges to navigate. While some people recover from treatment and can regain much of their abilities as before, others continue to experience long-term or permanent effects of cancer and its treatment. These can include fatigue, pain, mobility issues, cognitive…

Neurodivergence and Cancer: Alison's Story

On being a "pepper pot "carer with cancer. In the Spring of 2016, I was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer. I had not heard of this type of cancer. I was told it was incurable but treatable. I was 56. An article I read by someone who is living with blood cancer (and was much younger than myself at the time of their diagnosis) said that their diagnosis felt like their life had been hit by a wrecking ball. For me these words describe perfectly how I felt. The shock was enormous. I had been a carer all my life, from caring for a younger sibling with special needs whilst I was growing up, to working in a caring profession, to caring for my son who is autistic. In my own head, I had never envisaged a time when I would not be able to care for someone who relied on me. The diagnosis…

Mike and Steve talk about the Online Community

It’s National Inclusion Week!

Have you ever felt that your identity, background or the way you experience the world has affected your cancer journey? National Inclusion Week is an opportunity to think about what inclusion means for people affected by cancer. Cancer can affect anyone, but the experience of diagnosis, treatment and recovery isn’t the same for everyone. For some people, their identity or circumstances can bring additional challenges when accessing information, treatment or support. At Macmillan, we want everyone affected by cancer to feel that there is space for them. That’s why Macmillan's Online Community has dedicated spaces where people from different communities can connect with those who understand the challenges they face. Here are three examples: LGBTQIA+ people and cancer Many LGBTQIA…