Coping with anxiety, depression, fear of recurrence, and emotional challenges after cancer
My last chemotherapy infusion was on a Wednesday in October. The nurses brought out a little bell — it is a tradition at many cancer centers, ringing a bell when you finish treatment — and my husband was there, and a few of the nurses I had come to know over the months, and I…
Cancer-related fatigue is the most commonly reported side effect of cancer treatment — and one of the most persistent. Unlike normal tiredness, cancer fatigue does not reliably improve with rest and can continue for months or years after treatment ends. This guide covers the evidence-based strategies that research shows actually help cancer survivors manage fatigue…
Mindfulness and meditation have emerged as some of the most well-researched and effective tools for cancer survivors managing the emotional challenges of survivorship. From reducing anxiety and fear of recurrence to improving sleep and quality of life, the science behind mindfulness for cancer survivors is compelling. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of paying…
Cancer does not only affect the body. The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis and the experience of treatment can be profound and long-lasting. Depression and anxiety are among the most common challenges cancer survivors face after treatment ends — and they are among the most treatable. This guide helps you understand and address the…
Scanxiety — the intense anxiety that builds in the days and weeks before a cancer scan or follow-up appointment — is one of the most common and least discussed experiences in cancer survivorship. If you find yourself barely sleeping before scan day or unable to think about anything else, you are not alone. This guide…
Fear of cancer recurrence is one of the most universal and powerful experiences in survivorship. The question “what if it comes back?” lives in the minds of most cancer survivors, surfacing during quiet moments, at every follow-up appointment, and whenever you feel an unfamiliar ache or symptom. This guide helps you understand this fear and…