When you began your cancer treatment, you couldn’t wait for the day you’d finish.

With your treatment completed, you’ll likely see your cancer care team less often.

Everything you’re feeling right now is normal for cancer survivors.

Recovering from cancer treatment isn’t just about your bodyit’s also about healing your mind.

Take time to acknowledge the fear, grief and loneliness you’re feeling right now.

Fear of recurrence is common in cancer survivors.

You might worry that every ache or pain is a sign of your cancer recurring.

Eventually these fears will fade, though they may never go away completely.

Cope with your fear by being honest with yourself about your feelings.

Try not to feel guilty about your feelings or ignore them in hopes that they’ll go away.

Ask your doctor about what you’re free to do to reduce your chance of a cancer recurrence.

Once you’ve done all it’s possible for you to to reduce that risk, acknowledge your fears.

Take control of those fears and do what you’re free to to influence your future health.

take a stab at:

Most cancer survivors report that the fear of recurrence fades with time.

But certain events can trigger your fears.

The feelings might be especially strong before follow-up visits to your doctor or the anniversary of your cancer diagnosis.

When you were diagnosed with cancer, you might have focused completely on your treatment and getting healthy.

This can make you feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Don’t feel you gotta do everything at once.

Take time for yourself as you establish a new daily routine.

Try exercising, talking with other cancer survivors and taking time for activities you enjoy.

Lingering feelings of sadness and anger can interfere with your daily life.

For many people these feelings will dissipate.

But for others, these feelings can develop into depression.

Tell your doctor about your feelings.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are keys to successfully overcoming depression.

If surgery or other treatment changed your appearance, you might feel self-conscious about your body.

You might withdraw from friends and family.

And self-consciousness can strain your relationship with your partner if you don’t feel worthy of love or affection.

Take time to grieve.

When you’re more confident about your appearance, others will feel more comfortable around you.

Don’t deal with loneliness on your own.

Consider joining a support group with other cancer survivors who are having the same emotions you are.

Contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society for more information.

Sometimes talking with friends or family can help.

You might consider consulting:

Devise your own plan for coping with your emotions.

Have an open mind and try different strategies to find out what works best for you.

Updated: 10/13/2020

Publication Date: 10/7/2005