Real stories of support during breast cancer

Story
Published: 02 March 2026
We know that people need different kinds of support at different times of their cancer journey. People with breast cancer share how they were supported and how they later supported others living with cancer.

Support around diagnosis

Woman smiling at camera, she is wearing a blue top with white spots. She has blonde hair and is wearing glasses.Woman smiling at camera, she is wearing a blue top with white spots. She has blonde hair and is wearing glasses.

I am now a complete Macmillan Support Line convert. It was brilliant and you can be really honest with them... She helped me find myself and my voice so that I could advocate for myself.

 

Carrol

Leaflets, consulting Macmillan’s website and talking to a Macmillan adviser were some of the best things that happened for me. The leaflets, which I kept with me for quite a while, helped me realise I could get disability benefits.

 

Anoushé

Woman with short dark hair stands in front of an orange wall. She is wearing a black suit and has her arms folded.Woman with short dark hair stands in front of an orange wall. She is wearing a black suit and has her arms folded.

The stories Macmillan shares help those diagnosed with cancer to understand they are not alone, and the information about treatments and cancer is easy to understand, accurate, supportive and helpful.

 

Katie

Support during treatment

Jenny is standing and leaning against a metal table with an espresso machine on it. In front of them is a wood table with different baked items on it. There is also a Macmillan branded money bucket. The person appears to be in a café.

Jenny

I speak regularly to my Macmillan breast cancer nurse Emma, who’s really good at breaking down what’s happening and explaining what I can expect at each stage of my care.
Woman in blue top sitting in chair and smiling.

Lurline

The service provided by Macmillan at the hospitals I attended has been superb. The vast resources of free information, advice and supportive activities have helped me not only to cope but to feel positive about myself while at my most challenging times.

Woman smiles at camera, she is wearing a white shirt and mustard coloured headwrap

Vicky

After a chemo session Vicky visited the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre for the first time. "The first thing they said was, ‘hello, do you want a cup of tea?’ And I just broke down and cried. But it was such a lovely warm hub that you could express yourself.

Supporting other people affected by cancer

Very often people people who have been affected by cancer go on to support others by sharing their experiences, volunteering, campaigning, donating or giving their time and expertise. We are grateful to all of them.

Allia was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. After finishing treatment she set up a support group so South Asian women in her community.Allia was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. After finishing treatment she set up a support group so South Asian women in her community.

"When I started hearing other women’s stories, I decided I needed to do something."

 

After recovering from cancer Allia set up a support group, funded by Macmillan, where South East Asian women in Leicester can come together to talk about their cancer experience and get important information and support. She was shortlisted for a British Muslim Award for her work with Macmillan in the community. 

 

Allia

An Asian woman is sitting in a kitchen looking to camera. An Asian woman is sitting in a kitchen looking to camera.

While going through chemotherapy for her triple negative breast cancer, Priyanka began writing a children’s book, ‘When Mummy Had Cancer’, to help other families talk about a parent’s cancer diagnosis.    

"I'd rather speak to my children and tell them everything that I know, which has come from a professional, from someone with a medical background, rather than the Internet or social media."   

 

Priyanka

A woman is sitting on her sofa at home looking at the camera.A woman is sitting on her sofa at home looking at the camera.

I became involved with Macmillan's work on Psychological Care. This involves developing services tailored to people with serious psychological conditions either as a result of their cancer or as a lifelong mental health condition like my own. My work on this steering group was very close to my heart. I felt I was able to contribute on many levels to a practical and essential outcome. My point of view was valued. I felt relevant again and that I had something to say that people wanted to listen to. It was so life-affirming and gave me back my self respect.

 

Siobhan

More information about breast cancer

We have a range of information about breast cancer on our website.

Breast cancer symptoms
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump in the breast, but there are others to look for.
Types of breast cancer
Learn more about the different types of breast cancer.
Treatment overview for breast cancer
We have information about the different breast cancer treatments on our overview page.
More information about breast cancer

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How we can help

Call us free on 0808 808 00 00
8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. You can talk to our cancer specialists about anything.
Email the Macmillan Support Line
Email the Macmillan Support Team if you have any questions.
Chat online
Available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. For confidential, real-time support if you don’t want to call.
Get support from Macmillan Buddies
Sign up for 12 weeks of support with our free Macmillan Buddies service. With a weekly call from one of our trained volunteers, you don't have to face cancer alone.
Online Community

Chat online anonymously to others who understand what you are going through. Our community is available 24/7 and has dedicated forums where you can get advice and ask our experts.
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