Community News

Getting support when living alone with cancer

Having a cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of someone’s life. Living alone with cancer leaves many people with added obstacles to getting the support they need. Whether this is physical support and care, to help with daily tasks, or emotional support and guidance through the most challenging of times. The Online Community is here for anyone affected by cancer to find support from people who understand. Recently, we asked members of the Community about their experiences of living alone with cancer , the challenges they face and how they have coped or adapted to these challenges. This blog brings together what they have shared with some added information that we hope you find useful. Emotional effects of living alone with cancer Members spoke about the emotional challenges faced…

How do you balance Ramadān and living with cancer?

For many people, Ramadān is a time of reflection, faith, and connection. When you’re living with cancer, this month can also bring questions, adjustments, and mixed emotions. You may be wondering how fasting fits alongside treatment, recovery, fatigue, or medication - or how to stay connected to Ramadān if fasting isn’t possible this year. This blog brings together practical guidance and shared understanding, shaped around the experiences of people in the Macmillan Online Community. What is Ramadān and why is it relevant to my cancer experience? Ramadān is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide through fasting, prayer, and reflection. Fasting from dawn to sunset is an important part of the month for many, but Ramadān is also about intention, compassion…

Random act of kindness

Today is Random act of kindness day ! But what is a random act of kindness? It is an unexpected act of helpfulness often by a stranger to spread joy and happiness into the world without any personal gain. Has anyone ever offered you a random act of kindness or have you shown kindness to someone recently? Tell us about this in the comment box below, we love hearing your stories. Doing something nice for someone doesn't cost a lot of time or money. It's the small meaningful things in life that can make a big difference. Here are a few other suggestions for random acts of kindness: Call a friend that you haven’t spoken to for a while Send flowers to a friend Offer to pick up some groceries for someone Send someone a message that will make them smile Offer to babysit for a friend…

Discover the Travel Insurance forum

Going anywhere nice? Planning a holiday can be an exciting task. It can also be very complicated. After picking a destination, you need to decide on travel arrangements. Then there’s the matter of booking the perfect accommodation. Prices. Dates. There’s lots to consider. As with any holiday, it is also essential to purchase some insurance in case something goes wrong. Many travel and holiday websites make this step surprisingly easy, offering some appropriate cover during the booking process. Unfortunately, when you need to buy a policy that will cover someone living with a cancer diagnosis, things can get complicated. Many mainstream insurers have a long list of exclusions that mean your specific circumstances won’t be covered. Even if they will provide cover, the cost of the necessary…

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…

Life after treatment: Dealing with health conditions after cancer

Being cancer free does not always mean going back to how life was before. For many people, it means learning to live with long-term health conditions. The Online Community is here for anyone affected by cancer to find support from people who understand. Whether you have just been diagnosed, are going through treatment, or are adapting to life after cancer. Last year, we invited members of the Online Community to share what challenges they have experienced after treatment . This blog brings together some of what was shared. Long-term physical effects from cancer treatment Many members spoke about side effects that continued long after treatment ended, often affecting daily routines, mobility, and confidence. One member described chemotherapy-related nerve damage. “I developed peripheral…

What Community members wished they had known before surgery

In the latest of our new series of blogs sharing hints and tips from members, we asked members of the Online Community, "What do you wish you had known before you had surgery?" Members shared personal experiences alongside the questions they asked, practical tips and some reassuring messages. This blog features conversations about a range of different surgeries that may be relevant to you. There is also some general advice to help you prepare for surgery and appointments. Click on the blog headings to help you navigate the different sections in the blog. Table of Contents Being prepared and recovery Hysterectomy TURP surgery Tracheostomy, Laryngectomy and bypass tube Thyroid surgery Cystoscopy Laparoscopic anterior resection Breast cancer surgery Skin cancer surgery…

New Dates for 2026 - Local Cancer Community Meet-ups

It's 2026 and we're back with all-new dates for your diary! If you're in Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester, Prestatyn, Preston, Rochester, Washington, or Watford... we're delighted to announce even more opportunities to make new friends face-to-face. 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 a safer way to discuss specific meet-up plans with friends on the forum. Please see our guide to Private Messages and Friends…

Mike and Steve talk about the Online Community

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…

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…

What do you wish you had known before living with a stoma?

Our new mini blog series asks the question, ‘What do you wish you had known?’ In this latest blog, the Online Community team ask community members with different lived experiences what they wish they had known about Ileostomy, colostomy and stomas. The blog includes questions you might want to ask, practical tips, and help with managing anxiety before appointments. It also includes reassuring messages about living with a stoma. Visit the ‘What do you wish you had known before living with a stoma?’ forum to join the discussion. Emotional support when living with a stoma For some people, there can be a mixture of emotions when they are told they will be given a stoma as part of their treatment. You will find lots of friendly peer support in our Online Community. It can be comforting…