Macmillan Cancer Support

“Breast cancer is seen as a female cancer. And it isn’t. It can affect anybody”. When Phil was diagnosed with breast cancer he felt isolated, and didn’t feel he could open up to friends or family straight away, or talk about his diagnosis. We’re here to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can. Call the Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (open 7 days a week from 8am - 8pm) for confidential support.

Cancer care isn’t cutting it, even with the dedication of healthcare professionals. Cancer can affect every part of life, not just health. We need the UK Government to invest in improving cancer care – the Budget is a prime opportunity to do that 👀💼

In this month’s episode of The Cancer Professionals podcast we’ve partnered with La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique Dr Fiona McCarthy and journalist, Rosamund Dean who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, discuss the side effects cancer can have on our skin. You can find this podcast episode on skin care during cancer treatments by searching for The Cancer Professionals on your preferred streaming platform. Macmillan’s participation in this partnership does not constitute an endorsement of La Roche-Posay products.

“Understanding and working with communities is essential" - that was the message from grassroots organisations, healthcare professionals and advocates who came together earlier this week to discuss how unacceptable gaps in cancer care can be addressed. Macmillan Cancer Community Network’s conference brought together people and partners from London, the South East and East of England, all with a shared commitment to tackle inequities in cancer care. From transforming hair salons into trusted spaces for conversations about cancer, to sharing local community experiences to influence culturally responsive care, and campaigning for equal access to life-saving cancer treatments – an inspiring set of speakers shared how they are actively working to improve cancer care within their communities. We want everyone affected by cancer, whoever or wherever they are, to be able to access the support they need. Thank you to everyone who brought the day to life and for the tangible commitments made together to help us move towards a more equitable future in cancer care. Are you interested in joining the Cancer Community Networks? Find out more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ef9fvXXf

“If I hadn’t had Macmillan on my journey, it would have been quite a lonely, frightening experience.” Lindsey is just one of he millions of people we’re able to support through a cancer journey thanks to our partners, volunteers and fundraisers. Greene King has reached an incredible fundraising milestone of £20m, which is helping us to offer support to more and more people living with cancer. To all of our supporters, thank you! 💚

A big thank you to the National Garden Scheme and everyone who has opened their gardens, volunteered, or visited one over the last 40 years! Your support has made such a difference to people living with cancer. The National Garden Scheme have donated an incredible £19 million, helping fund over 150 Macmillan nurses and three vital cancer centres. We were honoured to celebrate this special partnership with a lovely afternoon tea, where Dame Mary Berry joined our amazing Macmillan nurses to mark the 40th anniversary. Here's to many more years of working together! 💚

Now's your chance to shape the future of NHS cancer care! The UK Government has launched its biggest-ever conversation on the NHS, and they need your voice. If cancer has impacted you, share your story to help improve care. Tap the link to take part: https://lnkd.in/dmqrAHsZ

“I just felt alone. It made me question, why me?” Nellie Robert was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 26 years old. She didn’t identify with anything she saw or read about breast cancer. Nothing reflected the challenges she was facing. Cancer information should be inclusive and representative of a broad range of needs, so everyone can access the support that's right for them. We are committed to listening to people with cancer to better understand their needs and help make this a reality.

“A memorable career moment is inserting a new voice prosthesis into a lady with a Laryngectomy (voice box removal). She hadn’t been able to speak for four weeks after her surgery and seeing the joy and emotion that she, her husband and children felt hearing her new voice for the first time was a very humbling and satisfying experience.” David has been a Macmillan Professional since 2019. He works as a Macmillan Clinical Lead Oncology Speech and Language Therapist (SLT). “As an SLT, I support a diverse range of people with communication and swallowing problems (dysphagia) that arise as a result of their tumour, or due to the associated side effects of cancer treatment. I work with a lot of head and neck cancer patients for example, both post-surgery and during chemo-radiotherapy. My purpose is to maximise their communication and swallowing function, which can positively impact a person’s quality of life. “Alongside my permanent role, I am working a three-day per week temporary seconded position as the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) Macmillan Cancer Prehabilitation (prehab) Project Manager leading the multi-professional design and implementation of a new cancer prehab pathway for people with colorectal and head and neck cancer. “I was incredibly proud to win the Macmillan Professional Excellence Award for Innovation in November 2021. This was in recognition of our team’s efforts in designing and implementing head and neck cancer prehab in the North West Cancer Centre. “Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are an essential component of the cancer workforce. There is a wealth of evidence base that shows how AHPs improve the quality of life for people with cancer. Investment in the SLT role for example has been shown to lead to a cost-benefit and positive return-on-investment for dysphagia patients in preventing admission to hospital and reducing the length of stay for a patient. “Overall, early intervention of AHPs leads to more tailored and personalised prehabilitation and rehabilitation for people, which can subsequently lead to a more empowered individual, with a positive impact on quality of life and the health service on the whole.” Thank you, David for sharing some insights into your role, and to all the Allied Health Professionals we’re proud to work alongside to help support people with cancer.

There are many unspoken side effects of cancer, and dealing with symptoms of menopause is one of them. For Menopause Awareness Month we brought together a panel of cancer professionals, Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists and people with lived experience of medical menopause for our Journeys through Cancer and Menopause event, in partnership with Boots UK. The panel led some great discussions; from the clinical insights, the treatment options of early menopause as a result of a cancer diagnosis and some reflections from people who shared their personal experiences of managing their symptoms. Dr Hannah Tharmalingham, Macmillan National Clinical Advisor was on one of our panellists and stressed how important it is to make menopause part of the wider cancer discussion. “We know this is an unmet need, so we must have these conversations. By working together we can promote the support services available to help people have a better experience.” Our partners at Lovehoney Group also joined us at last week’s panel event to speak about our work for Sex and Cancer, to encourage people to consider their sexual wellness as going through cancer treatment. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the event. It’s encouraging to see more conversations around menopause taking place, as we know what a huge impact it can have on someone’s well-being alongside a cancer diagnosis.