Cancer patients who are struggling with the wide-ranging effects of a diagnosis are being urged not to suffer in silence this Christmas.
Around a third of people who have concerns about hormone changes, anxiety, and issues with eating or sleeping do not access help, according to a survey for Macmillan Cancer Support.
And one in four of those with concerns about their appearance or problems with memory and concentration do not get support.
Macmillan’s Support Line remains open every day of the year and the charity has launched an urgent appeal for funds to keep it running this winter.
The campaign is backed by cancer survivor LJ Madalura, 27, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia aged 19, shortly before he was due to begin studying film production at university.
LJ said: “Literally in the space of two weeks, my entire life had changed. I went from living this amazing, very free life, to being stopped in my tracks and admitted to the Royal Marsden [hospital].
“I remember walking in and realising that this bay was going to be my home for however many months.”
LJ’s cancer was diagnosed after he began feeling lethargic and noticed a lump in his neck. Over the following year, he endured several rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
Recalling his condition after the transplant, he said: “I remember being basically a husk of a person. I probably weighed 49kg.
“My oesophagus basically had no lining so every time I had a drink of water it would feel like glass pouring down my oesophagus into my stomach.”
The treatment effects left LJ looking skeletal, with little fat in his face, yellow eyes and dry lips. But he managed to find the humour in his grim situation with the support of friends who visited regularly.
He explained: “When you have someone who’s there, if they’re not giving up, why would you give up? I remember thinking, ‘I need to get myself in order because these people are rooting for me.’”
Now in remission, LJ, of South Croydon, is passionate about travelling and making the most of every opportunity in life. And he urged others not to suffer in silence and to phone Macmillan’s helpline if they need to talk.
“It will help you so much to reach out to Macmillan or someone who understands what it’s like. Talking can be so alleviating,” he said.
“You will feel lonely but nothing helps more than realising there are people out there who have been through something similar, or are willing to listen.
“If it wasn’t for my friends always coming over and telling me to keep going, I would have been in a way worse situation.”
Macmillan’s Support Line received more than 180,000 calls in 2023 – including more than 2,500 between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve – and numbers have been increasing in recent years.
Siân Robinson-Brown, the charity’s cancer information specialist, said: “Every day we hear about the devastating toll cancer can take on all areas of people’s lives, with a diagnosis affecting more than a person’s health.
“Yet we know that many people aren’t reaching out for help when it comes to these more ‘neglected’ side effects of cancer, with some people saying they feel guilty about seeking support for these sorts of issues.
“Everyone should feel able to seek help for something that’s causing them concern, no matter what it is. We’re doing everything we can to provide the vital support so many rely on, but we can’t do it alone.
“Macmillan is funded almost entirely by generous donations and every penny raised through our urgent Support Line appeal will ensure we can continue providing a vital lifeline to everyone who needs us.”
Macmillan’s free, confidential Support Line is open every day on 0808 808 00 00. For more information or to donate, visit macmillan.org.uk.
