Two people in warm coats stand at a wooden viewpoint overlooking the sea, watching waves roll along a coastal shoreline at sunset.

When cancer shows up, don't go quiet.

Cancer is one of the toughest challenges many people will ever face. It can impact every part of someone’s life and cause feelings of anxiety, isolation and loneliness. Too often, when cancer shows up, silence follows. Going through cancer is hard enough; no one should face it alone. 

We're calling on family, friends and loved ones to take small, practical steps to show up for someone who has cancer — whether that means sending a message, checking in regularly, supporting someone at an appointment or simply being at the other end of the phone on the good days and the bad.  

You don't need the perfect words or grand gestures to show you care. We're here to help you find the words.

Helping you talk to someone with cancer

When someone you care about is diagnosed with cancer, it can be hard to know what to say or do. You don't need the perfect words or grand gestures to show you care. We have information and support to help you talk about cancer. 
A person sitting in a restaurant surrounded by plants and trees, photographed during a period of living with cancer.A person sitting in a restaurant surrounded by plants and trees, photographed during a period of living with cancer.
How to write a message to someone with cancer
When someone you care about is diagnosed with cancer, it can be hard to know what to say. It can be even harder when you are writing a card, letter or text message. We asked people with cancer to share what really helped (and what did not) when they were diagnosed, to help you find the right words. 
Two people sit together by a lake, talking and spending time outdoors in a calm and supportive environment.Two people sit together by a lake, talking and spending time outdoors in a calm and supportive environment.
How to talk to someone with cancer

You may feel unsure about what to say to someone with cancer. Talking and listening to what they are going through can be a valuable source of support. We know these conversations can be difficult, so we have advice to help you talk about cancer. 

A close-up of hands using a laptop on a sofa, with a webpage open on the screen.A close-up of hands using a laptop on a sofa, with a webpage open on the screen.
Talk to people on our friends and family forum
You may find it helpful to talk to other people who are going through something similar. Our friends and family forum is available 24/7 and provides a dedicated space to share your feelings, ask questions and get support. 
More advice about supporting someone

Advice to help people with cancer talk about their experiences

It can be difficult to talk about living with cancer. We have information and support to help people have conversations with the people around them.

Two people walk side by side across a wooden bridge in a park, demonstrating the benefits of companionship and staying active outdoors.Two people walk side by side across a wooden bridge in a park, demonstrating the benefits of companionship and staying active outdoors.
Talking to people about your diagnosis
Telling your friends and family that you have cancer can be difficult. But when people close to you know what you're going through, they can support you and help you feel less alone. We have advice to help you prepare for these conversations. 
Two people stand in a kitchen holding mugs, talking casually beside a countertop decorated with lights and cards.Two people stand in a kitchen holding mugs, talking casually beside a countertop decorated with lights and cards.
Tips to help you tell people you have cancer
We know it can be hard to tell people you have cancer. We have tips to help make these conversations easier, as well as advice on coping with other people's reactions. 
Two people are walking down a grassy path on a cold, winter day. Each is holding a dog led with a dog attached. The people are wearing winter clothing like coats and hats.Two people are walking down a grassy path on a cold, winter day. Each is holding a dog led with a dog attached. The people are wearing winter clothing like coats and hats.
Talking to your partner about cancer
Talking about issues such as money, work and childcare is important for any couple. After a cancer diagnosis, these conversations can become even more important. We have tips to help you talk openly with your partner. 
An adult and two children sit together on a sofa in a living room, talking closely and facing one another.An adult and two children sit together on a sofa in a living room, talking closely and facing one another.
Talking to children and teenagers about cancer
Talking to children and teenagers about cancer can be difficult. If you talk to them in a way they can understand, it may help them cope better. We have tips to help you have these conversations. 
More talking about cancer advice

Help if you need someone to talk to

If you need to talk, Macmillan is here for you. Here are some of the ways you can get support and talk to someone.
A person wearing a pink coat talks on a mobile phone outdoors near water under a blue sky.A person wearing a pink coat talks on a mobile phone outdoors near water under a blue sky.
Macmillan Support Line
Cancer can feel overwhelming. Our specially trained Macmillan nurses and advisers can help you make sense of it all. 
A person sits in the driver’s seat of a parked car, holding a smartphone and looking at the screen. A person sits in the driver’s seat of a parked car, holding a smartphone and looking at the screen.
Online Community
Our Online Community is open 24/7 and is a place for people living with or affected by cancer to talk about whatever they are going through. 
Lee is a Macmillan volunteer. He is volunteering in a chemotherapy ward at a hospital. Lee is sitting in a yellow chair and speaking to someone next to him who is sat in a blue chair.Lee is a Macmillan volunteer. He is volunteering in a chemotherapy ward at a hospital. Lee is sitting in a yellow chair and speaking to someone next to him who is sat in a blue chair.
Local support
For support closer to home, search for local groups, emotional support, practical help, health services and social activities in your area. 
A person sits on a sofa at home, holding a smartphone and looking at the screen.A person sits on a sofa at home, holding a smartphone and looking at the screen.
Our WhatsApp service
The Macmillan 1-to-1 WhatsApp support service offers weekly check-ins with trained Macmillan advisers for up to eight weeks. You can talk about whatever is on your mind, at a time that suits you 

Cancer isn't fair. Cancer care should be.

A cancer diagnosis is the biggest challenge many people will ever face, and for some it can be made even tougher. How quickly someone is diagnosed, the care they receive, and their chances of recovery can be affected by where they live, what they earn, where they work, how they communicate or the colour of their skin. It shouldn’t be that 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 on a mission to help make cancer care better for everyone. We’re bringing together the people who know cancer best - from healthcare professionals and community groups to our partners, volunteers, supporters and our own experts – to bring cancer care closer to every UK home.

Together, we can make cancer care fair.

Read about our Fair Cancer Care campaign