Tag Archives: macmillan cancer support

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025: Support & Solidarity

By Matthew McKenzie – Facilitator of cancer carer forum

Breast Cancer Awareness

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the UK, which is a time not only to focus on the disease itself but also to recognize the people whose lives are touched by breast cancer.

Awareness campaigns often center on early detection and medical advances, but the human stories behind the statistics are equally vital. Patients, families, and carers form a network of support, resilience, and hope, and their experiences deserve to be at the heart of our conversations.

Just to note, the blog is a transcript of my video below.

The Scope of Breast Cancer in the UK

Breast cancer affects tens of thousands of people every year in the UK, according to organizations like Macmillan Cancer Support. The impact is widespread, touching individuals from all walks of life. While medical statistics and research are essential, it’s crucial to remember that behind every diagnosis is a person navigating a complex journey often with the help of loved ones and caregivers.

Practical Steps for Individuals and Communities

How You Can Make a Difference

  • Get to know your body: Regular self-examination and awareness of changes are key.
  • Seek medical advice: Don’t ignore persistent changes—early action is vital.
  • Share information: Spread reliable, accurate information about breast cancer.
  • Support carers: Recognize their role and offer practical and emotional support.
  • Join or create support networks: Forums, peer groups, and information hubs can make a big difference.
  • Promote solidarity: Wear pink, share stories, and show support.
  • Advocate for better services: Engage with local authorities and healthcare providers to improve access and support.

Building a Supportive Environment

Creating a supportive environment for patients and carers involves more than just medical care. It’s about fostering connections, offering respite, and ensuring that everyone feels included and valued.

Join Voice – Amplifying the Voices of Cancer Patients and Carers at St George’s Hospital

By Matthew McKenzie – Cancer Carer group

At St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, people affected by cancer are placed at the heart of everything they do. Whether you’re a patient receiving treatment, a family member, a carer, or part of a local cancer support group, your experiences and insights are invaluable in shaping the way the hospital cancer services are delivered.

That’s why Voice exists.

See link below for more details.

Voice – Cancer patients & carers user group

What is Voice?

Voice is a dedicated patient and carer group that works closely with the Cancer Team at St George’s. It provides a vital forum for sharing experiences, ideas, and suggestions that directly influence how services are planned, developed, and improved.

By joining Voice, you’ll:

  • Represent the perspectives of patients and carers.
  • Share what works well in cancer pathways and highlight areas for improvement.
  • Help identify priorities for local cancer services.
  • Be kept informed of new cancer services and projects.
  • Take part in health and wellbeing events.
  • Have the chance to help design new services or join the core group guiding the support group.

Why carers are especially needed

Carers play a unique and vital role in the cancer journey. Their insights into the challenges and realities of supporting a loved one through treatment provide perspectives that professionals and even patients themselves may not always see.

Right now, Voice is especially looking for more carers to join, ensuring their voices are fully represented in shaping services.

How to get involved

Becoming a member of Voice is free. By joining, you’ll be part of a welcoming community committed to making cancer care better for everyone.

To find out more or sign up, contact the Macmillan Information and Support Centre:

Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

Hospital carers discharge toolkit meeting update January 2025

Welcome to the brief update of my hospital carers discharge toolkit meeting. I chair this meeting every two months with support of the carer centres and some hospitals.

The London Hospital discharge toolkit aims to provide a collaborative platform where unpaid carers, hospital carer leads and carer centres can work together to:

  • Enhance support for unpaid carers of patients using hospital services.
  • Improve communication and engagement between hospital staff and unpaid carers especially during patient discharge.
  • Identify and address the needs and concerns of carers within the hospital setting.
  • Share ways to implement London Hospital discharge toolkit to ensure carers are recognized, supported, and actively involved in the care journey of their loved ones while in hospital.
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World Cancer Day 2025: Wes Streeting “In Conversation” with Nick Robinson

Happy World Cancer Day 2025

I recently attended a special event hosted by Macmillan Cancer Support over at Central Hall Westminster for World Cancer Day 2025.

Just so you know, Macmillan Cancer Support provides emotional, practical, and financial support to people affected by cancer, offering services such as specialist healthcare, advice on treatment and benefits, and community-based support to ensure no one faces cancer alone.

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Empowering Change: Uniting the unique Against Cancer on World Cancer Day

Another blog by Matthew McKenzie for World Cancer Day 2025. Join the movement on World Cancer Day to raise awareness, promote early detection, and support those affected by cancer. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against this disease that impacts millions worldwide.

To watch the 3 minute awarenes video. Click below.

Continue reading →

Macmillan Cancer Community Network’s Conference 2024

Welcome back to another blog update from Carer Activist Matthew McKenzie, who also runs the National Cancer Carer forum.

As usual I raise awareness of unpaid care, but because of the forum that I run, I was invited to attend Macmillan Cancer Support Community network conference. The event took place on the 22nd of October over at Oxo Tower

Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer and those who support them. The charity also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care.

There are several Macmillan Cancer communities, I am part of the London Cancer community network. Basically The London Cancer Community is a network of people who work or live in London who are either are living with, recovering from or have recovered from cancer; their friends, family and carers, healthcare professionals, community organisations, cancer charities and initiatives.

The Cancer community conference looked to celebrate the projects from network partners, raise awareness, network and also feedback.

The overall agenda was as follows

Registration from Macmillian staff who were friendly and polite. I felt to welcome attending the event. Plus I managed to grab some healthy breakfast as I was late arriving to the conference. So it was great to be well fed. I then managed to networking and browse some stalls. I was also joined by fellow carer activist Nadia Taylor who chairs the carer charity “Carers Network”.

It was not long before we were ushered to our tables to hear about the importance of the event and the agenda for the day.

Then there were presentations from the following charities, health providers and campaigners.

Can you ‘C’ me – Croydon BME Forum
The Beauty of Support and Barbers Against Prostate Cancer
Samina Hussain – Sakoon Through Cancer
Judith Neptial – From me to you: the art of survival
Macmillan Quality of Life and Personalised Care Community Reach Programme
UCLPartners and Macmillan – The Improving Cancer Journey’s Learning Programme

I spent a lot of time catching up with links to Cancer alliances as they support the group I am running, although my focus is with RM Partners who focus on South West and North West London. I also linked up with the Cancer Alliance the provides services to the North East of London.

Overall I was glad to attend this wonderful conference, it was a shame I could not stay long as I headed off to run my carer stall at Queen Elizabeth Hospital over in Greenwich. I often get visitors to the hospital seeking advice and information due to caring for someone with cancer.

My final thoughts on the event was on the amount of hard work to put the conference together. The conference felt like it was forming a community of those who did all they can to support the health of the community. I cannot wait till the next conference.

Please check out Macmillan Cancer Support community network newsletter below.

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