Living well with mantle cell lymphoma

It’s never easy to be told you have a type of blood cancer. Even if you have few symptoms and feel generally well, getting a diagnosis can be challenging.

Learning about your condition can help you make decisions and feel more in control, but it's important to take things at your own pace and ask questions when you are ready.

We have lots of information about blood cancer that you, your family and friends may find helpful. You can also contact our Support Service to talk through anything you are worried or unsure about. Call our support nurses for free, confidential advice on 0808 2080 888 or fill in this webform for support by email.

You may like to talk to other people with blood cancer on our online community forum. You’ll always find someone who is ready to listen and share their own experiences.

• Read our information about what happens now, or order our free booklet.
• Sign up for weekly support emails for practical tips and advice from other people with blood cancer.
• We have lots of information for family and friends about how they can support you while looking after themselves.
• Blood cancer and blood cancer treatment can make you more at risk from infections like viruses and bacteria. Get a free infection alert card for guidance about what to look out for and what to do if you think you have an infection.

It’s normal to have emotional ups and downs. But if you are feeling generally low, talk to your hospital team or GP. They may be able to get you professional help. Of if you prefer, there are self-help tips you can try.

We have more information about how to get support for your mental health.

Eating a balanced diet and keeping as active as you can are important when you’ve living with blood cancer. It not only supports your physical health but can lift your mood too. Gentle exercise can even help with fatigue. Fatigue is extreme tiredness that can come on suddenly. Many people with blood cancer experience it at some point.

We have suggestions about how to eat well and stay active when you have blood cancer.

We also have a free booklet about eating well with blood cancer.

You may have questions or concerns about your finances, including benefits you may be able to claim and your rights at work.

Cancer is classed as a disability even if you are not having treatment. So you have rights under disability laws. For more information about this and other practical matters, read our information about money and work.

You may feel that you want to keep your diagnosis private, but a lot of people find it helpful to share their news, even if it's a hard conversation to have. It helps to have people around you who can support you practically or emotionally, depending on what you need.

If you are working, talk to your employer as soon as possible. They will have to consider “reasonable adjustments” to help you work, such as time off for appointments or changing your hours.

Some conversations about your diagnosis will be more difficult than others. If you’re worried about how a conversation might go, our support nurses can help you plan what to say and talk through how to deal with different people’s reactions.

Things that can help:

• Bring a loved one to your appointments, or take along the questions they want to ask.
• Direct them to our website for accurate information, especially our information for family and friends.
• Suggest they join our online community forum. There are lots of family members and friends on there as well as people living with blood cancer.