Find the words to talk about cancer
It's not easy to talk about cancer, but it could help
We know how it feels, to want to do the right thing. To not talk about it and protect the people around you. To not want to burden your family, bother your friends, or bring the mood down at work.
But all that the people around you hear is the silence. And silence can be the hardest thing to bear.
What’s he thinking? Have I said the wrong thing? Am I being unhelpful? Is he angry at me?
We know it’s not easy to talk about cancer. But it could help. Find the words with Macmillan.
Through our Find the Words campaign we want to encourage more men living with cancer to talk about their experience and seek support.
Find the words with Macmillan
Call the Macmillan Support Line for free* on 0808 239 3759. We're open, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
Why it's important to talk
Award-winning photographer Ray Burmiston captured celebrities affected by cancer in a new series of moving photographs to encourage more men to open up about cancer and reach out for support.
Colin MacFarlane, actor
Colin, 61, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2022, nine months after his brother was also diagnosed with the same cancer.
“I think most men try to ‘stay strong and silent’, but it’s important for other men to see that it’s ok to let your guard down and show anxiety and fear. Vulnerability is a strength not a weakness.”
Merlin Griffiths, First Dates star
Merlin, 48, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September 2021. He has been undergoing treatment after a stage 3C, T4 tumour was found in his rectum.
“The biggest thing you have to realise is that when you bottle it up, whether symptoms or diagnosis, you might think in your head you’re okay, but people will notice that you’re actually not. You will literally feel a burden unloaded once you let it out. Even if it is just one or two people you talk to.”
Tom Daley, Olympic gold-medallist and television personality
Tom opens up about losing his father to a brain tumour in 2011 aged 40, when Tom was just 17 years old.
"We know men find it difficult to talk but honestly it has been my way of coping. To anyone struggling, I know it’s not easy to talk about cancer, but maybe just try it, it could help."
Global Radio X and ‘Bonehead’ talk about cancer
Macmillan have teamed up with Global Radio X to help get men talking about cancer.
Radio X presenter Toby Tarrant and Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs get together to discuss Bonehead's recent experience with tonsil cancer. Bonehead talks openly about the fear, the worry, and the importance of talking about cancer.
We're helping men to talk
Jai and Mandeep
In the video below Mandeep shares how it felt when his son Jai was diagnosed with cancer. Jai talks about how they supported each other by opening up to each other.
Justin and Matt
In the video below Justin and Matt talk 'balls' and how sharing experiences with friends and family helped.
Chris and Sam
In the video below Chris and Sam have a chat in the hairdressers about how it feels when someone you love has cancer.
Kiwi and Jonjo
In the video below Kiwi and Jonjo chat over a drink about being diagnosed with cancer.
The Radio 1 mixtape helping men to talk about cancer
The Barbershop Project, is a group of barbers - led by the incredible Hairforce 1 barbershop in East London - who are leading the way across the capital, breaking taboos and normalising conversations about cancer inside one of the cornerstones of the Black community – the barbershop.
According to Macmillan's latest research more than one in three Black men don’t like to share their real feelings and one in four don’t feel comfortable talking about things that worry them. With Black men twice as likely as White men to get prostate cancer, and at a younger age, opening up about health concerns has never been more important.
That’s why Macmillan has teamed up with BBC Radio 1 Extra presenter Seani B and the fantastic Barbershop Project to release its very own mixtape. The three-hour mixtape is full of vibrant dancehall, reggae, soca and afrobeats and is to be played in barbershops across London to open-up vital conversations about cancer.
The mixtape also features two storytellers sharing their experiences of prostate cancer as well as an exclusive message from Grammy award-winning artist Sean Paul, encouraging Black men to proactively look out for symptoms of prostate cancer and to discuss any concerns with the GP. Listen to the mixtape on Soundcloud.
Information and resources to help you talk
Talking to your friends and family can be difficult. We have information to help you talk about cancer, including talking to children and teenagers.
Or you can listen to:
- Our podcast series Talking Cancer Podcast that includes guests affected by cancer and health experts.
You may also be interested in
Answers to common questions
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Questions about treatment?
Whatever you need to ask about cancer or treatment, we are here for you:
- Contact our information specialists and nurses to ask your questions on 0808 239 1172, web chat or email.
- Sign up to trusted information by email from day one.
- Get information from other people with cancer through our Online Community. You can also get expert advice on our ask an expert pages.
- Our website has lots of information about cancer types and treatment. You can also answer 6 quick questions to get a personal guide based on your needs.
- Visit your local Information and Support Centre to speak to someone in person and pick up leaflets.
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Questions about how you're feeling?
Whether you need - someone to listen, someone to chat to or help from a professional counsellor - we’re here:
- Contact our cancer support team on 0808 239 8573, web chat or email; they are here to listen, give support and refer you on to further professional help, such as counselling, if you need it.
- Chat to other people with cancer on our Online Community.
- Drop into your local Information and Support Centre; they are there to listen and offer support.
- Register for a Macmillan Buddy - if you need to talk, we're here to listen. With a weekly call from one of our trained Macmillan Buddies, you don't have to face cancer alone.
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Questions about managing day to day tasks?
Cancer can have a big impact on your everyday life. Whatever you need support with, from doing the shopping and cooking to organising transport, we have practical tips and information to help you manage day-to-day tasks.
- Contact our cancer support team on 0808 239 2673, web chat or email.
- Sign up to trusted information by email from day one.
- Talk to other people with cancer on our Online Community.
- Visit your local Information and Support Centre to pick up information or for a chat about the local support available.
- Find information and support with managing practical tasks on our website.
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Questions about money worries?
We know that cancer can cause lots of money worries. From how to manage the impact on your household budget, to what support may be available and how to access it – we are here to help you, whatever you need to ask.
- Contact our support line by calling on 0808 239 8319, web chat or email. You can select to speak to our specialist Financial Guides and Welfare Rights Advisors team about any money worries you might have.
- Sign up to trusted information by email from day one.
- Meet with our team face to face to find out what payments you may be entitled to and for help completing the right forms.
- Visit our website for information about managing money worries.
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Questions about work?
We know that cancer can cause problems at work, whether you’re employed or self-employed. Whatever you need to ask about cancer and your rights at work, we’re here for you:
- Contact our specialist team on 0808 239 5164, web chat or email; our work support team can support with advice and refer you for one-off legal advice if you need it.
- Sign up to trusted information by email from day one.
- Visit your local Information and Support Centre to speak to someone in person about your work situation.
- Read our help with work information.
