Young people and cancer stories
Your feelings
If you're affected by cancer, you might have many different emotions. There's no right or wrong way to feel. Everyone reacts differently.
Amrik
Faye
Get support
The Teenager Cancer Trust has advice and resources about emotions and mental health for young people with cancer.
Friends and relationships
Talking about cancer can be hard. You might feel like your relationships have changed after a diagnosis. But keeping friends and family close is important.
Amrik
Shelbee
"I'm still the same person, cancer hasn't changed who I am."
- Shelbee and her friend Jess share their experiences after Shelbee was diagnosed with bone cancer.
More information
- TYAC have more information about relationships and cancer
- The Teenager Cancer Trust has advice on talking to friends, family and partners
Finding help and support
If you're affected by cancer, you don't have to go through it alone.
"I used the community to vent my worries to others who’d been in my situation. People were so kind on there."
If you're a young person affected by cancer, there is specialist support available.
Visit our Young People and Teenagers page to learn more about the different ways Macmillan and other organisations can help.
Side effects
If you're going through treatment for cancer, this might affect you in different ways.
In this video, Ruth talks about her experience of fatigue:
Lillie's story
Lillie shares how she coped with the emotional and physical effects of treatment.
Making plans
"I now work here in Queen's Hospital, a place where I was treated - at a place where, at one time, I didn't like to come at all."
- Tom
"I felt completely distraught at the news. And it meant that I would no longer be able to study abroad. However, I knew that my health was the most important thing, so I stayed home to receive treatment."
- Shell
More information
- The Teenage Cancer Trust has information about going back to school
- TYAC has advice around school, uni and work for young people affected by cancer
- Young Lives versus Cancer has information around the support available while studying
Information and support
Macmillan is here to support you. You can:
Chat to us
Read our information for teenagers and young adults
More stories like this
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Stories 05 Aug 2024"I think being honest about the challenges has helped me make the necessary adaptations." - Helena
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Stories 23 Jan 2024Sbba was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022. Since her diagnosis, she has been raising awareness to ensure women and people of colour have access to relevant information about cancer.
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Stories 28 Nov 2023If you are affected by cancer, you may be wondering about how this could affect work. On this page, some of Macmillan's storytellers discuss common concerns about work and cancer.
