Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Telling your kids about cancer – experiences from the Online Community

Getting prepared Telling children about a cancer diagnosis can feel like you’re giving them a terrible burden to carry. Although it’s a conversation that no parent, guardian, or carer ever hopes to have with their children, it doesn’t always result in the negative impact we might assume. While there’s no right or wrong way to have this conversation, there are some general points to consider that may help you to have the most constructive conversations possible. The goal of this blog is to explore some of those important pointers by highlighting examples that members have shared with the Online Community over the years. If you or someone you know needs to share difficult news with children, we hope the quotes featured below will provide you with some inspiration, reassurance, and hope…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Breaking the news

Do you need help telling your family and friends about your cancer diagnosis? Read this blog for some friendly advice from those who have been there, it may help you break the news. This blog is a collection of lived experiences from our forums. We have gathered a collection of posts where members share how they told their family members and close friends about their cancer diagnosis. Talking about cancer It’s natural to worry about telling others you have cancer. Talking about cancer is probably something you never thought you would need to do, but now you find yourself thinking about how you are going to tell your family and friends you have cancer. It’s not easy starting difficult conversations but we are here to help. Who you tell is your choice and you shouldn’t feel any pressure…

Megan- Online Community Team
Feeling the need to scream and shout?

Did you know that today is known as National Scream Day? Who knew such a thing existed? It got us thinking about how helpful it can be to have a place to express how you are feeling. The Online Community is a safe space for you to talk about how you are coping with people who can understand what you are going through. "Well done for letting it out - we all need somewhere to let rip - you are in the right place - go for it... At the end of the day - there's always someone here for you - if you need that little bit of "extra help" you know where we are." Community member, 'This is pants' discussion thread, The Room Screaming is often associated with letting go of negative emotions and talking about how you feel when you are worried, stressed, sad and angry. Expressing…

Megan- Online Community Team
Spotlight on our supportive Bladder cancer forum ahead of Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in May

May will be Bladder cancer awareness month and there is lots of information and support available from Macmillan. Ahead of the start of the month, we are taking this opportunity to highlight some of the bladder cancer support available here on the Online Community. We are catching up with our Bladder cancer form and sharing how the members support each other every day of the year. If you have bladder cancer, or know someone who has, our online support group is here for you as long as you need us. Testing, diagnosis and waiting for results If you have been referred for further tests following signs or symptoms of bladder cancer , it can be a very worrying time. Waiting for results can often be a time when you need a lot of support, as it can be difficult to think of anything else…

Steph - Online Community Team
Local Cancer Community Meet-ups - Costa Coffee Glasgow and new venue at Costa Coffee Plymouth

By popular demand, the Local Cancer Community Meet-ups are back in Glasgow ( Sauchiehall Street) Costa Coffee. We are also starting Local Cancer Community Meet-ups at a new venue in Plymouth; Costa Coffee, New George St. If you're in the Glasgow or Plymouth area and you fancy chatting face-to-face with other people affected by cancer, we have another great opportunity to make some new friends. Following the success of the first pilot sessions in Glasgow, there are be meetings planned on Thursdays throughout April and May at both venues. These in-person events intend to build supportive communities of people local to the area they're hosted in. To avoid confusing them with our Online Community, we'll refer to these events as 'Local Cancer Community Meet-ups' here. If you would like to…

Steph - Online Community Team
International Cancer Support: Connecting across borders in our Online Community

In today’s world, geographic boundaries no longer limit compassion and support. In our Online Community, we welcome members from across the globe, including the USA, Australia, India, South Africa and beyond. Regardless of your background, culture, race, or religion, our Community is a safe space for anyone affected by cancer to give and receive support. “Hello there from across the pond. Very humid here in Florida but cooler weather coming.” Community member - Breast cancer forum From North America, all the way to Asia, members are keen to connect with others that are in a similar situation. No matter the country of residence, a cancer diagnosis can bring along the same challenges and questions. Recently, we had someone join the Community from India, hoping to connect with other members…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Spring into our Online Community Quiz

Welcome to our spring themed quiz Members have been talking about springtime across the Online Community. Whether it's blossom coming out on the trees or the longer days, there's lots of positivity in the air. Even if you're not feeling particularly positive right now, you might find light-hearted distractions to be helpful. After receiving feedback that many of you have enjoyed a chance to relax and engage with light-hearted content, w e've created a spring themed quiz for the Community today. How to play the interactive quiz Use the voting buttons to choose your answer from the multiple choices shown. You are welcome to try all ten questions, or just a few. Once you have voted for your answer, you will be able to see how many others chose the same answer as you. Where can…

Steph - Online Community Team
The Changing Faces of Cancer- Scalp cooling, Hair loss and Regrowth.

Jane was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of endometrial cancer in March 2022. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and external beam radiotherapy. During chemotherapy, she decided to scalp cool to try and prevent hair loss. During her Community Champion role, she often comes across people who need support with hair loss and have questions about it. Sometimes pictures can speak louder than words so she has put together a visual timeline to share her experience. Scalp Cooling- The positives… But will I lose my hair? Was one of the first questions I asked when told I needed chemotherapy. Hair is not just about vanity, it is part of our identity and although I knew I was really ill, I did not want to look ill. I wanted where I could, to keep any struggles private while I was dealing…

Megan- Online Community Team
The Online Community can be a part of your social prescription

The Online Community can be a part of your social prescription. Read this blog to help build your own social support plan. Did you know that some medical professionals will prescribe social interaction to support your mental health and overall wellbeing? NHS England says that: “Social prescribing is a key component of Universal Personalised Care. It is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social, and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.” Read more on the NHS information pages about how social prescribing schemes work. The Online Community can help meet your practical, social, and emotional needs and this blog will share details of how we can help. We can connect you with others who share similar…

Megan- Online Community Team
Sex and cancer uncovered – your needs are worth talking about!

Mentioning the Unmentionable If you ask the average person about what part sex and intimacy plays in their life, it wouldn’t be unusual to see them curl up like a pretzel with embarrassment. Despite being the most natural and healthy thing in the world, it’s a topic often relegated to the ‘unmentionable’ pile. Although sex and intimacy are a fundamental part of the human experience, the topic seems to inspire a unique level of shame when trying to talk about it openly. Unlike talking about our favourite foods or our preferred sleep routine, talking about sex can lead to red faces, giggles, and a desperate effort to escape the discussion completely. For someone affected by a cancer diagnosis, the topic becomes vastly more complex. It isn’t just the social taboo of sex usually being a highly…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Sharing comfort tips with the Community - what's on your wish list?

What would you put on your comfort wish-list if you were to share it today? You might be looking for something to help with side effects of chemo or other cancer treatment . You could be looking for the best gift to let someone know you’re thinking about them when they’re having a difficult time with cancer. Or perhaps you just need some new ideas when prioritising self-care . It can be really helpful to be able to share information and ideas. In this Community News Blog, we're sharing top tips from across the Community and inviting you to share your own. Lots of people find it can help to be prepared when you're going for tests or going through cancer treatment . In this recent Community News Blog , we shared members tips and lists about what to pack for your hospital visit or stay.…

Steph - 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