Community News - Macmillan Online Community

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
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…

Emma - Online Community Team
Gentle exercise and staying active with Cancer

Being active during and after cancer treatment can offer a lot of benefits, both physically and mentally. Physical activity can improve your emotional well-being and help reduce anxiety and depression. It can also reduce your tiredness and increase your confidence. Physical benefits include: Heart health Strengthens your muscles Bone health Improves your balance Increased your flexibility and helps with stiffness It is usually safe to start doing some physical activity during or after treatment. Here is how to get started safely: Talk to your team: Ask your Oncologist, specialist nurse, or GP what activity they recommend and for any advice on how to proceed. Listen to your body: Activity is encouraged, but certain treatments mean adjusting your limits or types of exercise…

Wayne - Online Community Team
Avoiding cancer misinformation and finding trusted support online

There are lots of websites where you can find reliable health information and trusted support. You might also come across information online that is misleading or incorrect. Every day, thousands of people can find out-of-date, misleading and unproven information about cancer online, often without realising. This can happen on search engines like 'Dr Google', social media and AI chat tools. Sometimes people share information because they are trying to help, but it may not be accurate or based on evidence. In this blog we will be sharing members experiences with the aim of helping you find trusted information online. Searching online for cancer information “I know I shouldn't google but I have done and now I'm really scared.“ - Community member When you are waiting to speak to healthcare…

Steph - Online Community Team
Toxic positivity and cancer: why listening matters

Positivity can be helpful when dealing with cancer. Hope, encouragement, and support can make a real difference during difficult times. But when positivity dismisses or overlooks someone's genuine feelings, it can become unhelpful. This is often what people mean when they talk about toxic positivity. Three years ago, we published our first blog on toxic positivity. The topic sparked a lot of discussion as many members related to the concept. In this blog, we share members' experiences of toxic positivity and helpful resources for talking about cancer. What Community members have shared Positive comments often come from a place of care, but they can sometimes make it harder for people to express how they are really feeling. “When somebody tells me to stay positive and that I’ll beat…

Dylan - 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
Share your summer

There are lots of conversations about cancer in the forums, but sometimes you may feel the need for some light relief from talking about appointments, treatment and the emotional effects of cancer. Signs of summer are around us at the moment, and we have created a space for you to share your summer activities and plans. We have set up the Share your summer discussion thread in the Express Yourself forum. This discussion thread is similar to the ‘Bring your Spring’ space, but with a summer twist. We'd love to see what summer looks like for you. Whether it's colourful flowers in bloom, a favourite walk, a day out, your garden, pets enjoying the sunshine, artwork, crafts, photography, or simply something that captures the feeling of the season, we'd love for you to share it with the Community…

Megan- Online Community Team
Wellbeing Wednesday - Men's Health Week 2026 and opening up conversations about cancer

This Wellbeing Wednesday blog focuses on Men’s Health Week in 2026 which runs from 15-21 June. At Macmillan, we’re using the opportunity to help raise awareness of the importance of men talking about their health and finding the right cancer support. We know that men are less likely than women to seek support for their cancer experience. We also know how isolating cancer can be. And that whoever you are, there are benefits of talking to someone who understands what you are going through. We want to make cancer support better for everyone. Whether you are a man with a cancer diagnosis, or a man supporting a loved one with cancer, the Community is here for you. Men living with cancer and sharing support on Macmillan's Online Community "I’ve spent the last 5 days a nervous wreck convincing…

Steph - Online Community Team
Improvements to the Online Community search function

Finding the right support The Online Community is packed full of useful information and relatable experiences. Over the years, tens of thousands of members have shared their thoughts, worries, and words of comfort with each other. With such a large amount of support content available, finding the discussions most relevant to you requires the use of a powerful search function. Starting a new search On every page of the Online Community, in the top-left corner you will see the ‘Search’ button depicted by a magnifying glass icon. Tap on the search button to enter search mode. Tap inside the search box and type in a term you’d like to search the Online Community for. Tap the magnifying glass button to begin the search. Filtering results After tapping Search, you will find yourself…

Matthew - Online Community Team
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…

Emma - Online Community Team
Carers Week - Are you supporting someone living with cancer?

This week is Carers Week. It is a time to recognise the important role carers play in supporting loved ones through cancer and to highlight the support available to them. We know that caring for someone with cancer can be both rewarding and difficult. It can bring many feelings and challenges, and it is not always easy to know where to find help and support. At Macmillan, we want to help people understand the experiences and challenges carers can face. In this blog, we share some of the support and information available in the Online Community, where carers, family members and friends can connect with others, share experiences, and find support from people who understand. So, what challenges do carers face? Many carers find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities, including work…

Lizzie - Online Community Team
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…

Wayne - Online Community Team