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Receiving a cancer diagnosis is hard. Talking about it can be even harder. This year between 21 - 27 January Cancer Talk Week is focused on families, how they can be there to support you or sometimes be the hardest people to talk to.
Karen, a Macmillan family support worker talks about her work providing emotional support for patients and family members to get some control in the chaos of treatment.
When I was diagnosed with leukaemia, I froze in shock. It was devastating news. I don’t know how I would have got through it if I hadn’t been able to talk to my twin sister, Caroline. She was there for me when I was first told and has stayed by my side ever since. I know not everyone is as lucky as me to have someone like Caroline, but everyone can speak to Macmillan Jen, 24 Living with leukaemia
When I was diagnosed with leukaemia, I froze in shock. It was devastating news. I don’t know how I would have got through it if I hadn’t been able to talk to my twin sister, Caroline. She was there for me when I was first told and has stayed by my side ever since. I know not everyone is as lucky as me to have someone like Caroline, but everyone can speak to Macmillan
Jen, 24 Living with leukaemia
Just hearing the ‘C word’ can be frightening. When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, it can be overwhelming – and one of the hardest things can be telling other people and sharing your fears.
Many people find it hard to talk to their loved-ones about how cancer makes them feel, or to talk about it at all. No matter what family or friends are around, people can sometimes end up feeling isolated. But asking for and getting the right support from family and friends can really help - especially when you’re facing the toughest fight of your life.
Many cancer patients will turn to a family member first when diagnosed with cancer. But it’s not just patients who need support; family members, partners, colleagues and carers| may also find it hard to talk about the impact cancer is having on their lives.
That’s why this year Cancer Talk Week is encouraging people affected by cancer to get talking about it - and all of the associated worries - with partners, family, friends and professionals. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved.
Macmillan Cancer Support can help you find the words you need. Call our helpline| for a chat with one of our experts, talk to others going through the same in our online community|, or access information on talking about cancer|.
Discover all the ways Macmillan can help, from offering financial and emotional support to finding local information centres and support groups.
Talk to other people affected by cancer in our forums and chat room.
From volunteering and e-campaigning to becoming a Cancer Voice, there are lots of ways you can help us help others.
Find information on your cancer type, different treatments and living with cancer.
Looking for advice on how to talk about cancer in schools? See our information for schools|, Macmillan’s resource guide for teachers and youth group leaders.
The following partners are kindly supporting Cancer Talk Week:
Boots UK
M&S
npower
Bonmarché
National Garden Scheme
Poundland
Toni & Guy
Harrods
The Card Factory
Greene King
First Group
In this blog in our Online Community, Abi from the information development team talks about some of the helpful resources we have to help you talk to your family.