Two men are sitting side by side at a table in a pub. The man on the left is looking over to the man on the right. On the table are drinks and food.

Men's Health Week

Men’s Health Week in 2026 runs from 15-21 June. We’re raising awareness of the importance of men talking about their health. 

Fair Cancer Care campaign

A cancer diagnosis is the biggest challenge many people will ever face, and for some it can be made even tougher. 

For example, how quickly someone is diagnosed. The care they receive. Their chances of recovery can also be affected by where they live, what they earn, how they communicate or the colour of their skin. It shouldn’t be this way.  

Everyone deserves the best possible cancer care. But too many people aren’t receiving it.   

Through Macmillan’s Fair Cancer Care Campaign, we’re bringing together the people who know cancer best. This includes healthcare professionals, community groups,  partner organisations, volunteers, supporters and our own experts. The aim is to help make cancer care better for everyone.

Read more about the Fair Cancer Care campaign.

Real stories from men affected by cancer

A person wearing a head covering stands indoors in front of a wall filled with framed photographs.

Denzil

"I was told my low blood platelets were possibly down to my ethnicity. In the meantime, my stomach was on fire." 

Denzil shares how he struggled to get answers for why he had severe abdominal pain before finally being diagnosed with colon cancer. During difficult treatment, he also faced the loss of his brother, who had kept his own diagnosis to himself. This experience inspired Denzil to create a men’s walking group where people, especially men of colour, could talk openly without judgement. He shares his story to encourage others to seek help.

Jon is a white man with bear with his wife outside in a park.

Jon

“I distract myself and try to find pleasure in small, ordinary things."

Jon talks openly about being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer after initially overlooking symptoms. He explains what it’s been like going through intensive treatment, and how it’s affected his energy and overall health. Despite the challenges, he keeps working, spending time with family and friends, while adjusting to life with an ongoing condition. Read Jon’s story. 

Get support from Macmillan

A dark green lanyard on a light green background.
Work and cancer

Read our information about what support is available if cancer is affecting your ability to work. It includes your legal rights and sick pay options.

A dark green rotary phone on a light green background.
Macmillan Support Line

Call us for free on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) if you have any questions about cancer or you just need someone to listen.

A dark green laptop on a light green background.
Chat to us online

You can chat to our trained cancer information advisers online who can be a listening ear and point you to where you can get further support.

Online Community

Our Online Community is a free online place for people living with or affected by cancer to talk about your experiences and ask an expert your questions.

Greene King and Macmillan

According to new research by Greene King, over half of men (52%) feel more comfortable discussing personal issues when side-by-side with a mate, whether walking, chatting over a pint, or during a car ride (reference ii).

To mark Prostate Cancer Awareness month in March, we partnered with Greene King to highlight this new research. The findings show that where and how men have conversations matter.

Watch the video to find out more about how Greene King and Macmillan are advocating for men to have more of these important discussions.

About our information

  • References

    (i) Greene King/Censuswide survey of 1,001 UK men (aged 18+). The data was collected between 21st February and 24th February 2025.