What happens after cancer treatment?
After treatment, you may miss the support you got from your health care team. You may feel as if your safety net has been pulled away and that you get less attention and support from health care providers now that treatment is over. You also may feel that only others who have had cancer can understand your feelings.
How can I cope with the late effects of cancer treatment?
While this can be frustrating, you can take steps to help cope should you experience late effects of treatment. Exercising and eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables can help make you stronger and healthier. Avoiding tobacco, excessive alcohol use and prolonged sun exposure also are very helpful. Oct. 06, 2020
How do people respond to cancer patients after treatment?
The response of friends, coworkers, or people at school after your cancer treatment may differ. Some may be a huge source of support, while others may be a source of anger or frustration. Some people mean well, but they do not know the right thing to say. Maybe they just don’t know how to offer support.
How to keep a positive attitude with cancer?
How to Keep a Positive Attitude With Cancer Surround Yourself With Positive People and Positive Energy Minimize the Time You Spend With Negative People and Eliminate Toxic Relationships Learn to Reframe Consider a Mantra Nurture Yourself by Enjoying Your Passions, Old and New Just Do It For You Nurture Your Sensual Self
Can cancer treatment change your personality?
Emotional and mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, and having trouble sleeping can add to that foggy feeling. Chemo brain can also intensify feelings of frustration or anger. That's OK.
Why do some people experience negative side effects when undergoing cancer treatments?
Why does chemo cause side effects? Cancer cells tend to grow fast, and chemo drugs kill fast-growing cells. But because these drugs travel throughout the body, they can affect normal, healthy cells that are fast-growing, too. Damage to healthy cells causes side effects.
Why are cancer patients so mean?
Cancer patients simply want to be their old selves, Spiegel says, so they often can fail to make their new needs clear to their loved ones and caregivers, which can lead to frustration and anger.
Can cancer treatment make you depressed?
After cancer treatment Depression can happen soon after your cancer diagnosis. But it is also quite normal to become depressed after finishing your treatment. As one person told us: "It wasn't until a long time afterwards that I realised the stress of my cancer had made me depressed and very tearful."
What are 3 side effects of cancer treatments?
Side Effects of Cancer TreatmentAnemia.Appetite Loss.Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia)Constipation.Delirium.Diarrhea.Edema (Swelling)Fatigue.More items...
Are chemo patients toxic to others?
Chemotherapy drugs are considered to be hazardous to people who handle them or come into contact with them. For patients, this means the drugs are strong enough to damage or kill cancer cells. But this also means the drugs can be a concern for others who might be exposed to them.
Why do cancer patients push you away?
At times patients may pull away because they feel overwhelmed by the care they receive. For example, even when caregivers have the best of intentions when they encourage patients to eat properly, the patient may feel pressured and sense a loss of independence.
Why do people get mean at the end of life?
Fear is probably the most common source of anger, especially in the dying and their families – fear of the unknown, being in pain or suffering, the future well-being of family members, abandonment, leaving unfinished business, losing control of bodily functions or cognition, being a burden to the family, and dying ...
Can cancer cause anger issues?
Many people living with cancer experience anger. Often, the feeling arises when receiving a cancer diagnosis. But it can develop any time throughout treatment and survivorship.
What are the emotional stages of cancer?
The Five Stages of Dealing with a Cancer DiagnosisState 1: Denial. ... Stage 2: Anger. ... Stage 3: Bargaining. ... Stage 4: Sadness and depression. ... Stage 5: Acceptance.
How long is chemo rage?
For most patients, chemobrain improves within 9-12 months after completing chemotherapy, but many people still have symptoms at the six-month mark.
How does cancer affect you emotionally?
A cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of patients, families, and caregivers. Common feelings during this life-changing experience include anxiety, distress, and depression. Roles at home, school, and work can be affected. It's important to recognize these changes and get help when needed.
What Are Late Effects of Cancer Treatment?
Late effects are side effects of cancer treatment that become apparent after your treatment has ended. Cancer survivors might experience late effec...
What Cancer Treatments Cause Late Effects?
Late effects of cancer treatment can come from any of the main types of cancer treatment: chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation, surgery, target...
What Late Effects Might People Who Were Treated For Childhood Cancers Experience?
If you underwent cancer treatment as a child, you may be at risk of many of the same late side effects of treatment as people who were adults durin...
What Signs and Symptoms Might Signal That You're Experiencing Late Effects of Cancer Treatment?
Talk to your doctor about the late effects of your particular treatment. In some cases, your doctor will know what effects are at risk to you. But...
What Can You Do to Prevent Late Effects of Cancer Treatment?
It isn't clear that late effects are preventable or why some people might experience late effects while others don't. While this can be frustrating...
What are the side effects of cancer treatment?
Talk with your doctor about any new symptoms or side effects that you experience. Fatigue. Fatigue is a constant feeling of physical, emotional, or mental tiredness. It is the most common side effect of cancer treatment. Some cancer survivors have fatigue for months or even years after finishing treatment.
How long after cancer treatment do side effects occur?
Many people who have had cancer treatment have a risk of developing long-term side effects. These side effects can happen months or years after treatment. Evaluating and treating late effects is an important part of cancer survivorship care.
How does radiation affect food?
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery may affect how a person digests food. Surgery or radiation therapy to the abdominal area can cause tissue scarring, long-term pain, and intestinal problems. Some survivors may have chronic diarrhea that reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
What are the side effects of radiation?
Increased risk of stroke from high doses of radiation to the brain. Nervous system side effects, including damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, called peripheral neuropathy. Cancer survivors should have regular physical examinations and hearing tests after treatment to check for these effects.
What medicine did you receive for Hodgkin lymphoma?
Are 65 and older. Received higher doses of chemotherapy. Received certain medicines, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin, Ogivri) and doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Doxil) Below is a list of common heart conditions.
Does radiation damage bone marrow?
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also damage bone marrow stem cells. This increases the risk of either acute leukemia or myelodysplasia. Myelodysplasia is a blood cancer where the normal parts of the blood are either not made or are abnormal.
Can cancer patients have dental problems?
Cancer survivors may have dental and oral health and vision problems, depending on the treatments they received: Chemotherapy may affect tooth enamel and increase the risk of long-term dental problems. High doses of radiation therapy to the head and neck area may change tooth development.
What happens after cancer treatment?
When cancer treatment ends, people begin a new chapter in their lives, one that can bring hope and happiness, but also worries and fear. No two people are alike. Each person has his or her own way of coping and learning to manage these emotions. It will take time and practice.
What does it feel like to be put aside for cancer treatment?
For some people, emotions that were put aside during cancer treatment come flooding back all at once, and they feel overwhelmed with sadness, anger, or fear. Some of it may be the lingering side effects of treatment, but some of it feels as if your body and spirit are tired and need a long rest.
How does religion help people with cancer?
Religion can be a great source of strength for some people. Some find new faith during a cancer experience. Others find that cancer informs their existing faith or their faith provides newfound strength. Still others find themselves questioning their faith. If you are a religious person, a minister, rabbi, other leader of your faith, or a trained pastoral counselor can help you identify your spiritual needs and find spiritual support. Some members of the clergy are specially trained to help minister to people with cancer and their families.
How long does a cancer group meet?
Other groups focus on certain types of cancer or stages of disease. The length of time groups meet can range from a set number of weeks to an ongoing program.
How to help cancer survivors?
Emotional support can be a powerful tool for both cancer survivors and their families. Talking with others who are in situations like yours can help ease loneliness. You can also get useful ideas from others that might help you.
Why do people put their lives back in order?
Some people say that putting their lives back in order makes them feel less fearful. Being involved in your health care, getting back to your normal life, and making changes in your lifestyle are among the things you can control. Even setting a daily schedule can give you more power.
Can cancer come back?
You’ll probably be concerned that the cancer might come back, and you might find yourself thinking about death and dying. The fear of cancer coming back (called cancer recurrence) is common among cancer survivors and can sometimes be quite intense. Maybe you’re more aware of the effects the cancer has had on your family, friends, and career.
How to reduce the chance of infection during chemo?
Washing your hands often will lower your chance of getting an infection during chemotherapy. Talk with your doctor about other ways to lower your risk of getting an infection. You should call your doctor right away if you notice any signs of an infection, especially a fever.
What happens if you have a lymph node removed?
If you have lymph nodes removed during surgery, or if radiation treatment damages a lymph node or vessel, the lymph fluid may not be able to drain properly. The fluid may build up under your skin and cause part of your body to swell . This condition is called lymphedema. Learn more about lymphedema.
What is the name of the decrease in white blood cells?
Neutropenia. Neutropenia is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, which are the body’s main defense against infection. Neutropenia is common after receiving chemotherapy. You will be checked for a low white blood cell count during treatment.
Can cancer cause blood clots?
Cancer Pain. Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis) Other Side Effects. Cancer treatments may have many side effects. A side effect occurs when treatment damages healthy cells. Side effects can be different for each person, and for different medicines and kinds of treatment. If you think you’re experiencing any side effects, talk to your medical team.
Can cancer cause tiredness?
Cancer treatments can cause many other side effects, including tiredness, trouble eating, and depression. The National Cancer Institute#N#external icon#N#and the American Cancer Society#N#external icon#N#describe many of these problems and offer tips for preventing or coping with them.
Can cancer make you sick?
Cancer treatments can make you feel sick to your stomach, and to vomit. Sometimes, cancer patients feel sick just from thinking about cancer treatment. Fortunately, medicines can help control nausea and make you feel better. Tell your doctor when you feel sick, so he or she can find the medicine that works best for you.
Does a cooling cap help with chemotherapy?
may help you keep more of your hair . A cooling cap fits tightly on your head and keeps your scalp cold before, during, and after your chemotherapy treatment. Studies have found that how well a cooling cap works depends on the kind of chemotherapy you receive.
What to do after cancer treatment?
Cancer survivors: Care for your body after treatment. Simple steps can improve your sense of well-being and your quality of life after cancer treatment. Find out what you can do. By Mayo Clinic Staff. After your cancer treatment, as a cancer survivor you're eager to return to good health. But beyond your initial recovery, ...
How to improve long term health after cancer?
The recommendations for cancer survivors are no different from the recommendations for anyone who wants to improve his or her health: Exercise, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, get good sleep, ...
How to prevent cancer from recurring?
Opt for healthy sources of carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes, and fruits and vegetables. This combination of foods will ensure that you're eating plenty of the vitamins and nutrients you need to help make your body strong. It's not known if a certain diet or certain nutrients can keep cancer from recurring.
How to help cancer patients recover faster?
Regular exercise increases your sense of well-being after cancer treatment and can speed your recovery. Cancer survivors who exercise may experience: Adding physical activity to your daily routine doesn't take a lot of extra work. Focus on small steps to make your life more active.
Why do people with cancer sleep so much?
Sleep problems are more common in people with cancer, even survivors. This can be due to physical changes, side effects of treatment, stress or other reasons. But getting enough sleep is an important part of your recovery.
How to get over cancer?
With your doctor's approval, start slowly and work your way up. The American Cancer Society recommends adult cancer survivors exercise for at least 150 minutes a week, including strength training at least two days a week. As you recover and adjust, you might find that more exercise makes you feel even better.
What to eat when you have cancer?
Vary your diet to include lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains. When it comes to selecting your entrees, the American Cancer Society recommends that cancer survivors:
How to reduce stress after cancer treatment?
Many survivors have found activities like the ones below useful in dealing with cancer and their worries after treatment ends. Ask your doctor, nurse, social worker, or local cancer organization about taking part in activities like these. Exercise.
How to improve memory after cancer treatment?
See if any of these ideas work for you: Get a notebook or pocket calendar and use it to plan your day. You can write down each task, how long it will take, and where you need to go. Plan the whole day, including night hours.
How does cancer affect your emotions?
Your Emotions after Treatment. Just as cancer treatment affects your physical health, it affects the way you feel , think, and do the things you like to do. Besides causing many emotions that may surprise you, the treatment may actually change the way your brain works. Just as you need to take care of your body after treatment, ...
How to sort out your feelings about cancer?
You can still sort out your feelings by thinking about them or writing them down on paper.
What are the fears of cancer patients?
This is one of the most common fears people have after cancer treatment. Even years after treatment, this fear may always be in the back of their minds. For some, the fear is so strong that they no longer enjoy life, sleep well, eat well, or even go to follow-up visits.
Is it normal to feel cut off from other people after cancer treatment?
You also may feel that only others who have had cancer can understand your feelings. Feelings like these are normal any time you leave people who mean a lot to you. It is also normal to feel somewhat cut off from other people—even family and friends—after cancer treatment.
Can cancer cause stress?
Many cancer survivors also worry that stress may have played a role in their illness. It is important to remember that the exact cause of many cancers is still unknown.
How to keep your head up during cancer treatment?
In fact, allowing yourself to grieve and allowing yourself time to vent your anger, frustration, and fears with a good friend is just as important as staying ...
How to turn negative thoughts into positive?
Some people with cancer have found that they can help turn their negative thoughts in a positive direction by repeating a mantra or phrase. For example, you may want to learn how to use a mantra meditation for stress relief.
What is cognitive reframing?
Learn to Reframe. Cognitive reframing is simply changing the way you look at a situation or think about a thought. The situation doesn't change, but you do. Inlay terms, it means finding a way of shifting your perspective so that instead of seeing the glass half empty, you can see the glass half full.
Is cancer funny?
But once you do... Cancer is a serious, scary disease. But sometimes a little humor—and especially a full-blown laugh-fest—is the best medicine the oncologist could order.
Can you beat cancer with a positive attitude?
And the next time you feel an urge to kick the person who tells you "All you need to beat cancer is a positive attitude," you can instead inform them that there really isn't any good evidence that cancer patients with a good attitude live longer. But let's face it.
Can you reframe a situation?
With nearly any circumstance you can do a little reframing, though sometimes it requires a little humor (and a lot of patience). You may not always "believe" your re framed situation, but by simply saying it out loud, you may find yourself feeling more positive.
What to do if you are in pain from cancer?
If you are in pain, tell your oncologist or another doctor. With your help, your doctor can assess how severe your pain is. Then, he or she might suggest one or more of the following approaches. These approaches have helped others recovering from cancer and may help you.
What are the most upsetting issues after prostate cancer?
Bowel and bladder problems are among the most upsetting issues people face after cancer treatment. People often feel ashamed or fearful to go out in public. "Going back to work was the hardest thing," one prostate cancer survivor noted. "I felt so foolish having to go to the bathroom all the time.
How does cancer affect the long term?
For some survivors, the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment may be made worse by the effects of aging, or by other health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, that you may have had before cancer. Breast cancer survivors who have had surgery may find everyday activities like reaching or stretching painful; health conditions such as arthritis can make these activities even more difficult. Colorectal or prostate cancer survivors may find that the aging process also affects their bowel or bladder control.
Why do people have sexual problems after cancer?
Sexual problems after cancer treatment are often caused by changes to your body-from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, or by the effects of pain medicine.
How long does cancer pain last?
This type of pain is quite common and can last for many months. "I am so sensitive [there] that I cannot put on anything tight," one breast cancer survivor noted.
Why does lymphedema happen after surgery?
It can be caused by cancer or the treatment of cancer. There are many different types of lymphedema. Some types happen right after surgery, are mild, and don't last long. Other types can occur months or years after cancer treatment and can be quite painful.
Why is it so hard to eat after radiation?
Some people who have had radiation therapy or chemotherapy to the head or neck areas may find it hard to eat because they have trouble swallowing. People who have had radiation to the breast or chest or those who have had surgery involving the larynx may also have this problem. As one lung cancer survivor said, "I had a really hard time swallowing and chewing because of the chemo. I just couldn't do it. I lived on soup and soft rice for weeks and weeks."
How to help someone with cancer?
Instead, a person with cancer should talk about their feelings. Many people find it helpful to join a support group or seek counseling. Working through their feelings can help a person with cancer feel more optimistic. And this optimism can lead to a better quality of life.
Why do people with cancer need support groups?
Research shows that giving people with cancer information in a support group helps reduce tension, anxiety, and tiredness, and may lower the risk of depression. Being in a support group may also improve feelings of well-being and quality of life.
Does having a positive attitude help with cancer?
Studies have shown that keeping a positive attitude does not change the course of a person’s cancer. Trying to keep a positive attitude does not lead to a longer life and can cause some people to feel guilty when they can’t “stay positive.”. This only adds to their burden.
Can cancer make you feel alone?
But sadness, distress, depression, fear, and anxiety are all normal feelings when learning to deal with cancer. Ignoring these feelings or not talking about them can make the person with cancer feel alone.
Does personality affect cancer?
Your personality and emotions did not cause your cancer. Research on this topic has not shown a link between personality and overall cancer risk. Also, personality traits and attitude do not affect cancer survival.
Does guided imagery help cancer?
Research has not shown that guided imagery or other similar techniques can control cancer growth. They also do not help a person with cancer live longer. However, these techniques can help with many symptoms related to cancer and cancer treatment. Some of these include pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and retching, anxiety and depression.
Going Back to “Normal”
- You’ve been seeing your cancer care team quite often; now, suddenly, you don’t have to visit for many months at a time. When treatment is done, some people feel like they’re no longer fighting the cancer. Worries can set in. You might feel alone and lost without the support of your cancer care team. These people may have become an important part of your life. Not seeing them might make you anxious and sad. You may also find that going bac…
Learning to Live with Uncertainty
- You may notice that you’re paying a lot of attention to aches and pains in your body. You may feel like a “sitting duck.” The doctor says you have no signs of cancer now, but can you be sure? You may be wondering… 1. Will it come back? 2. What are the chances it will come back? 3. How will I know if it has come back? 4. What will I do if it comes back? 5. When will it come back? The fear grips you, and you have trouble sleeping, being close with yo…
Health Problems from Cancer Treatment
- Some cancer treatments may cause health problems later on. These may be called long-term side effects. These problems might not appear right away and some don’t show up until years after treatment. Ask your cancer care team: 1. If the treatments you had put you at risk for short- or long-term health problems 2. What those problems are and how you c...
Get Support
- Emotional support can be a powerful tool for both cancer survivors and their families. Talking with others who are in situations like yours can help ease loneliness. You can also get useful ideas from others that might help you. There are many kinds of support programs, including individual or group counseling and support groups. Support in any form allows you to express your feelings and develop coping skills. Studies have found that people who ta…
Bottom Line
- Keep in mind that you are a cancer survivor and remember the good news: You are one of millions of Americans alive today who has had cancer, and the survival rate is improving all the time. Like most of them, you and the people around you can adjust to and lead a fulfilling life after cancer.