Macmillan Cancer Support

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role is pivotal to cancer patients and their families during diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Tricia is a Cancer Information Nurse Specialist who works on our Support Line. “I started nursing in 1984 and worked in various wards, gaining a lot of experience over the years. I soon developed an interest in cancer care. After supporting prostate cancer patients for 11 years, I moved on to be a Macmillan Colorectal Cancer Nurse Specialist / Stoma Nurse. “Starting a new job is always daunting, but I soon settled into the role with the support of other CNSs who guided me with their expertise. My role was to support patients and their loved ones from diagnosis, through any treatment and follow-up. For those with more advanced disease, I supported them through to palliative care. I loved the job as it gave me the opportunity to get to know patients and their families and ensure continuity of care. We faced tough times during the Covid pandemic, trying to continue giving the best care we could whilst coping with the difficulties and chaos that the pandemic had brought to all our lives. “The time arrived, 38 years after starting as a nurse, when I was ready to retire from the NHS and to go part-time to allow for a better work life balance. It was tough leaving a job that I loved and the NHS. “I wasn’t ready to completely give up nursing though and was so pleased to get a job as a Cancer Information Nurse Specialist on the Macmillan Support Line. The nerves kicked in with having to learn a new way of working, but the friendliness, expertise and passion of all the other nurses on the support line provided me with the reassurance I needed to gain confidence in the job. “Providing support to cancer patients and their loved ones throughout their cancer pathway via the phone, webchat, emails, and Macmillan website is rewarding. Having a cancer diagnosis is such a shock and a life-changing moment. We provide whatever support people need, empowering them with information to help them understand what is happening, clear guidance, emotional support, or just being a listening ear when they need it the most. “Supporting others at such difficult times is tough but also a pleasure and honour to be able to do so. I am now three years into the job, and I can genuinely say I love being a Cancer Information Nurse Specialist on the Macmillan Support Line and get lots of job satisfaction from this role. “Being able to help others daily at the time they need support most, using my many years of clinical experience in this way…what an amazing thing to be able to do in my day-to-day work. How lucky am I?” Almost 3.5 million people in the UK live with cancer, facing disrupted lives and worse outcomes due to who they are or where they live. Every day, Clinical Nurse Specialists support people affected by cancer, and we want to say a massive thank you for their unwavering dedication and care 💚 #NationalCancerCNSDay

“The little things saved her life.” Today we're celebrating the amazing work that Clinical Nurse Specialists do every day 🌈 Yasmin started her role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in 2020 during the pandemic and is now a Macmillan Haematology CNS. Almost 3.5 million people in the UK live with cancer, facing disrupted lives and worse outcomes due to who they are or where they live. Every day Clinical Nurse Specialists support people affected by cancer, and we want to say a massive thank you. 💚 #NationalCancerCNSDay

The number of people living with cancer in the UK is rising, and many are receiving poorer experiences of diagnosis, treatment and care simply because of who they are or where they live. Naman Julka-Anderson, a Macmillan Allied Health Professional and Clinical Adviser, is passionate about changing this. Through his experience, he found that updating the language used when describing the effects of radiotherapy for different skin types can help in numerous ways. There are significant gaps between the best cancer care in the UK and the worst. We’ll keep putting people with cancer at the heart of all we do and help give them a bigger say in the care they receive, so that no one gets left behind.

“It was like I was another person on another planet, just going through the motion. It would have been lovely if somebody had just stepped in and said ‘Siobhan, how are you really feeling?” When Siobhan was diagnosed with breast cancer, she also faced the recurrence and management of pre-existing mental health issues. In this episode of The Cancer Professionals podcast, we’re joined by Siobhan and Dr Jeff Hanna, a registered nurse and lecturer in clinical cancer nursing. They share expert advice on how to make mental health care more inclusive and tailored to the individual’s needs, ensuring patients feel seen, heard, and supported during cancer treatment. You can find this podcast episode by searching for The Cancer Professionals on your preferred streaming platform.

Who are the inspirational women who made a difference to your cancer experience? Angelina, Rachel, Pretti and Vivian talk about the amazing women who provided care and support to them. 💚 This #InternationalWomensDay, we want to hear from you. ⬇️

Everyone's experience of cancer is unique, but our latest figures show that 1 in 4 women with cancer in the UK (25%) are struggling with severe worry, fear and anxiety as a result of their diagnosis. It’s not just mental health, cancer can disrupt every part of a woman’s life. Almost 1 in 3 women with cancer in the UK (32%) have multiple concerns across at least four major areas of their lives - physical, emotional, practical and financial. This International Women’s Day, we’re raising awareness of the experiences of women living with cancer and the issues they face in accessing the health and cancer care they need. It’s important that we understand the different experiences people are facing, so we can ensure everyone gets the cancer care that is right for their individual needs. Almost 2 million women are living with cancer in the UK. Whoever you are and wherever you live, we’re here to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as possible. Sources: Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov survey of people with cancer, January 2025, plus Macmillan’s cancer prevalence estimates.

The number of people living with cancer is rising, with almost 3.5m people living with cancer in the UK. The experience of cancer is getting worse for some people, often because of who they are or where they live, and many are finding it harder to live with the disease than ever before. #SuperSurgeons shows cancer patients at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust undergo life-changing surgeries, and features real calls into our Macmillan Support Line, showing how cancer can impact a person’s life in many ways, and the varied support we can offer at every stage of their cancer experience. Series two of Super Surgeons will be airing on Channel 4 at 10pm tonight. Image credit: © Wonderhood Studios

Thousands of younger people with cancer in the UK are worried about how their diagnosis might affect their ability to find a new partner. Everyone deserves love and companionship, and that’s why we’ve launched “Dating and Cancer”, our brand-new video series! It centres around people’s experiences of the impact cancer can have on dating, relationships and intimacy. In the first instalment, we meet Lauren who was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma at 25 years old. She talks about navigating cancer whilst starting a new relationship with Danny (who is now her fiancé! 💍). We’re incredibly grateful to Lauren, Mason and Sarah who all shared their experiences as part of this series. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/evXrpu6v Source: Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov survey, January 2024

On World Cancer Day, we hosted an insightful conversation between Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting and broadcaster, Nick Robinson. Over 150 members of the cancer community came together, with hundreds more tuning in online, to ask crucial questions about cancer care in the UK and share their unique experiences. The event brought together people from different communities across the UK, many of whom have reported poor experiences of cancer care. We are committed to helping shape the future of cancer care to make sure everyone receives equal and timely access to high-quality cancer care.

“I see you cancer, and I raise you the ocean.” When Nat was recovering from cancer, she found cold-water swimming to be life-changing. Ellie Ricketts, a Macmillan Specialist Oncology Counsellor set up Into The Blue, a cold-water swimming project in Plymouth, after hearing from many people she treated about the physical and mental struggles they faced while recovering from cancer. This episode of The Cancer Professionals discusses the power of cold-water swimming as a pillar of cancer therapy. You can find this podcast episode by searching for The Cancer Professionals on your preferred streaming platform.