Common Emotions After Treatment

Cancer treatment can be an emotional roller coaster, with some up days and some down days. Now that treatment is over, new emotions may surface. Cancer patients and their families may feel relieved to be finished with treatment, and, at the same time, worried about the future. These feelings are a normal part of cancer survivorship.

The following are common emotions cancer survivors experience after treatment:

Anxiety

Fear

Insecurity

Sadness/Depression

Uncertainty

Embarrassment

Guilt

Fear of Recurrence

One of the biggest challenges after treatment is not knowing what will happen next. Fear of the cancer coming back (recurrence) is common and understandable. The fact that a cancer patient is no longer actively receiving treatments, or that his or her medical status is not being watched as closely by the healthcare team, can leave a person feeling vulnerable.

Every survivor handles fear of recurrence differently. There may be certain moments during survivorship when he or she is more worried about the cancer coming back than others. A person may also find that fears of recurrence diminish as time passes. It's important to remember that even if the cancer comes back, there may be new treatment options available that were not available before.

NOTE: After cancer treatment, it's normal to experience strong emotions. However, it's important a cancer survivor keep his or her healthcare provider informed about those feelings.

A "New Normal"

Now that a person has gone through treatment, cancer patients and their families can focus their energies on getting life back to "normal." But, what is normal? The idea that they can pick up where they left off before cancer seems difficult.

It can take time to recover from cancer, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. And although life may not return to exactly the way it was before diagnosis, they can find ways to move forward. Instead of trying to “get back to normal,” try to find out what's normal now. This “new normal" may include making changes in diet, lifestyle and relationships with others.

Tips for Moving on After Cancer Treatment

Accept fears. It's important to remember that a cancer patient can control how much he or she lets the fear of recurrence impact life. Both the cancer patient and the family need to accept that they might experience some uncertainty and focus on finding ways to manage these feelings. Help them gain the confidence they need to move on with life and not be controlled by fear of getting cancer again.

Don't over-react to every ache and pain. Cancer patients may be more likely to notice symptoms like aches and pains in their body than they did before cancer. Help them remember that even though they had cancer, they can still get common illnesses like a cough or cold. However, they should communicate any concerns they have regarding their current health status with their doctor.

Foster relationships with others. Now that treatment is over, some family and friends may expect a cancer patient to get on with life, while others may be overly attentive, constantly asking how the person feels. Talking about it may or may not be helpful. It's important for cancer patients to express their preferences to others.

Try to maintain a positive self-image. After treatment, cancer patients may have to adjust to changes in their physical appearance and/or abilities. If this is the case, remind them that they're still the same person on the inside, and there are resources that can help, such as a rehabilitation therapistand/or an image consultant.

Nurture emotional and spiritual well-being. It's not uncommon to experience emotional or spiritual distress at diagnosis and after cancer treatment is over. Some cancer survivors even develop post-traumatic stress disorder. A counselor/therapist and/or a pastor or spiritual advisor can help them learn ways to cope with their feelings.

Find ways to enjoy life. It might be helpful for some cancer survivors to consider trying a new hobby or activity. Creative outlets, such as drawing, painting, music, and poetry can help them express themselves and relieve stress. Keeping a journal, reading a book, watching a funny movie, and spending time with family and friends can also be rewarding activities.

Join a support group with other survivors. Cancer survivors may discover that while they had a lot of support as a cancer patient, now that treatment has ended, they're left alone. Aside from family and friends, they may find strength in sharing their feelings and concerns with other survivors who have had similar experiences.

Face forward. Now that treatment is finished, the process of moving on with life begins. Now is the time to re-focus on the things that matter most. Hopefully, cancer patients have learned how to take better care of themselves during treatment. They may also value relationships with others in a new way. Although they can't change having had cancer, they can change how they live the rest of their life.