We are back today with a further instalment of Willo's blog series 'Cancer & me 35 years on.' Willo is a member of our Community who was diagnosed with Anal cancer in 1986 while living in Zambia and has been sharing her experience of life post diagnosis, as well as her amazing artwork, in her blog series with us.
So far Willo has covered her experience of moving back to England for treatment, her Br…
Dan (pictured above), known on the site as Defiantlydisfigured, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in the ethmoid sinus in 2012, which is a very rare type of cancer. He underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Dan found support from sharing his story online in blog posts and on social media, and he continues to raise awareness for facial cancers.
I was 34 and told that I had a large tumour growing inside…
Image: Sophie (left) just after being discharged from hospital, and Sophie (right) 4 months after surgery.
Sophie found out that she had the BRCA2 gene mutation at 24, which increases the risks for certain cancers. Sophie opted to have a double mastectomy, as a preventative surgery. In her guest blog today, Sophie talks about her decision, navigating the healthcare system and finding support.
I’m Sophie, 28 years old…
As Prostate Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, we wanted to reflect today on what this awareness month means. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a time where we shine a light on the experiences of those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and also raise awareness, not only of this disease, but also of all the support that is out there for anyone who has been affected by prostate cancer.
One of the most…
Simon is 45 years old from South Wales and today he is sharing his cancer experience as part of Brain cancer awareness month. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed, our Brain cancer groups are here to support you.
I have had poor health most of my life due to a neurological condition called Neurofibromatosis. When in my teens I had lots of problems with my bowels and lived with a stoma bag for a year and had…
Today marks international women’s day, a day where we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a day to highlight women’s issues and rally for gender equality. Here at Macmillan we are dedicated to supporting anyone who has been affected by cancer and champion for better cancer support for all. Hearing and listening to the experiences of everyone is vital in…
Jane, also known as jane2511 , was diagnosed with Stage 1b endometrial carcinoma sarcoma – a rare type of womb cancer in April 2022. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy, completing active treatment 6 months later. She became…
Helen was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in March 2021. Like many people who receive a cancer diagnosis, Helen felt a mixture of emotions including worry, panic and stress. She had lots of questions about cancer and what might happen in the future…
Kiwi and his father, Indravadan, talk in their mother tongue, Gujarati, about Kiwi's chronic myeloid leukaemia diagnosis, how the family responded, and some of the stigmas still prominent in their community.
This video is part of Macmillan’s mother…
Over the course of Holly’s Cancer Poems, we’ve gone through diagnosis, surgery and chemotherapy. Holly was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2005, and her poems explore her emotions and experiences around cancer at the time. Within today’s blog…
Holly’s collection of cancer poems were written following her breast cancer diagnosis in January 2005. Her poems talk about her experience of diagnosis, treatment including surgery and treatment, side effects and talking to her sons about cancer. In today…
Holly was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2005. Holly has shared her experience through poems, written at different points of her experience with cancer. If you’ve not read Part 1 where Holly describes her diagnosis, you can read Part 1…
Naveed and his wife, Naveen, talk in their mother tongue, Urdu, about Naveed's diagnosis and some of the stigmas still prominent in their community.
This video is part of Macmillan’s mother tongue project, (4 minutes and 19 seconds). We hope to feature…
A cancer diagnosis can be a shock. Thinking about treatment may feel overwhelming. If you’re feeling nervous or worried, you’re not alone. Mary was diagnosed with myeloma in 2020, which is a type of blood cancer. This can also be known as bone…
Della talks in her mother tongue, Yorùbá, about her diagnosis, how her family responded and some of the stigmas still prominent in her and her family's community.
This video is part of Macmillan’s mother tongue project.…
It’s normal to feel lots of different emotions when you finish cancer treatment. Macmillan are here to help.
The Online Community is a place where you can share experiences and peer support with people going through the same thing. In addition to…
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can feel lonely and isolating. But you don’t have to feel alone. There’s lots of support available for you, although you may not know at first where to find it. We’re here to help here on the Online Community. …
Today is World Poetry Day, where we’re taking this opportunity to share Holly’s poems. Here on the Online Community, it’s clear how much being creative can help. Poetry can be a way to cope, a fun distraction and sometimes even a form of art therapy.…
Getting a cancer diagnosis and going through treatment can change a lot. This experience might change how you feel about yourself, alongside how you feel physically and emotionally. Everyone’s experience of cancer can be different. But it can be comforting…
For lots of people, worrying about side effects can have a big impact when you’ve had a cancer diagnosis. Ellie was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015. As part of the Digital Storytelling Project, Ellie has shared her experiences as a poem. Ellie talks…
“From the greatest loss of my life, came the birth of a new beginning and a new way I could help my community.”
As Linda says in her video and many people say on the Online Community, you may feel that nothing can prepare you for your loved…
