Navigating a cancer diagnosis

In this article:

• Coping with a cancer diagnosis
• Understanding your diagnosis
• Navigating treatment options
• Dealing with physical changes
• Practical concerns
• Life after cancer

In this article

• Coping with a cancer diagnosis
• Understanding your diagnosis
• Navigating treatment options
• Dealing with physical changes
• Practical concerns
• Life after cancer

When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, you’re suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar world. You may need to work through intense emotions, physical changes, and the impact of your diagnosis on your relationships and your professional life. For almost everyone, this is a lot to manage.

The more you know, the more in control you’ll feel. This guide will give you an overview of what it’s like to live with cancer. From managing the initial reactions after your diagnosis to understanding your treatment options and talking with your friends and family, we’ve covered all the basics about what the journey of a cancer diagnosis is like.

Coping with a cancer diagnosis

Right after receiving a cancer diagnosis, you may have a range of different reactions—from denial to anger or anxiety. It generally takes some time to come to terms with what’s happened. However, with healthy coping mechanisms, you can start your cancer treatment journey with a positive mindset.

Seek emotional support

A cancer diagnosis is challenging, but remember, you don’t have to go through it alone. Seek support from others. Some ways to do this include:

Talking with friends and family

It’s common to worry you’ll be a burden on those around you. But don’t keep your concerns and challenges to yourself and try to deal with them alone. Remember your loved ones want to be there for you and hope that you’ll share your true feelings with them to allow them to support you. They’ll worry more about you if you don’t tell them what’s happening. Don’t be afraid to share everything (even the challenging parts) with those you’re close to. 

Joining support groups 

While your friends and family are eager to support you, they may struggle to offer helpful advice since they often haven’t experienced something similar themselves. Talking with others who have navigated a cancer diagnosis can be helpful, as they can offer empathy, share valuable insights, and provide practical advice from their own experiences. 

Many local areas have cancer support groups where you can find this kind of support. Your treatment team can help connect you with local support groups, or you can find one online There are also online communities of people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Although virtual support isn’t quite the same as in-person, it still offers a chance to connect and receive advice.

Considering therapy 

A mental health professional (such as a therapist or counselor) may be valuable in managing the many complicated emotions you’re likely experiencing. You may already have a therapist whom you trust. If you don’t, consider seeking a mental health professional who specializes in supporting cancer patients. This specific type of therapist may have great advice to give you and be well-prepared to help you come to terms with your diagnosis in a healthy way.

Practice self-care

As you come to terms with your diagnosis, it’s important to make sure you’re taking good care of yourself. The following are some ways to practice healthy self-care:   

Get enough exercise 

Although it may be hard with a cancer diagnosis, regular exercise is important for your mental and physical health. Even walking at an average pace for less than 20 minutes a day can reduce the risk of depression by 6%, while walking for more than 40 minutes a day can reduce it by 17%.

There will be some days when exercise isn’t possible due to side effects from your treatment. However, try to do some physical activity on most days, even if this just means going for a walk around your neighborhood. This can make a huge difference to how you feel. Your goal should be at least 20 to 30 minutes of movement on most days.

Focus on the present 

During cancer treatment, it’s easy to focus on the future. However, this can lead to anxiety as you imagine worst-case scenarios. Practicing mindfulness can help counteract this tendency. Mindfulness involves paying close attention to whatever is happening right now. Try not to judge or to wish the situation were different—if it’s raining, notice what’s beautiful about the rain rather than wishing it were sunny. You can look for mindfulness classes in your local area or online to practice this skill.

Have fun 

When you’re caught up in the whirlwind of cancer treatment, it’s easy to take everything seriously. Don’t forget to enjoy your life. Having cancer doesn’t mean you need to give up doing the things you enjoy most. Those things become even more important because they’ll keep you in a positive frame of mind and reduce stress. Make sure to build fun into your life as often as possible while you’re going through treatment.

Communicate your needs

It’s important to make sure you’re meeting all your needs, including physical and emotional ones. While self-care may help you meet many of your needs, you’ll also need to rely on others, including your treatment team, friends, and family. It’s important to let them know what you need. Some ways to communicate your needs may include the following:

Be open and honest 

Many people with cancer worry about becoming a burden, which could make them hold back from communicating their needs. The truth is your treatment team and support network won’t know what your needs are unless you tell them. The best way to help them support you is to communicate clearly. Don’t pretend to be fine when you’re not.

Set boundaries

Your friends and family want to support you as much as they can, so they might sometimes visit too often. Let people know when you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a rest. If you need certain times to yourself—for example, if you’re too tired for visits after 8 p.m.— tell people ahead of time. You don’t want your close relationships to become a source of stress.

Advocate for yourself 

Although there are many systems in place to take care of cancer patients, you shouldn’t assume these systems will never miss anything. Cancer care is complex, meaning there may be times when something slips through the cracks. You may need to be your own advocate. This means speaking up when something in your care doesn’t seem quite right or if you feel something has been missed. You may also want to ask a trusted family member or close friend to keep track of your care.

Discuss your values 

Your treatment team needs to understand what’s important to you and what tradeoffs you’re willing to make as part of your cancer journey. Maybe you want to try all available treatment options, even if it only gives you a small chance at beating cancer. Or perhaps you don’t feel it’s worth giving up your quality of life when it will likely only give you a few more months. Unfortunately, this conversation often doesn’t happen until close to the end of life. It’s better to have this conversation with your treatment team as early in your cancer journey as possible.

Understanding your diagnosis

When you receive a cancer diagnosis, you’re suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar world. Almost everyone feels anxiety when facing the unknown. The more you understand what’s happening, the more in control you’ll feel and the less anxiety you’re likely to have.

It’s important to recognize the role you play in your own cancer treatment. Your healthcare team may offer various treatment options, but ultimately the decisions lie with you. To make informed decisions, you’ll need to have at least a basic understanding of medical terminology and treatment options. This will empower you to make choices that align with your values.

Understanding medical terms

As you begin to go through your cancer journey, you’ll encounter a lot of medical terminology. At times, it may feel like you’re learning an entirely new language.

Some people give up reading their medical reports because the technical language feels intimidating. However, since you’re ultimately in charge of your treatment, it’s best if you understand the relevant terms.

Start by asking your healthcare provider to explain things to you. You may want to bring along a printed copy of your report and take notes about what various terms mean. Beyond defining terms, your provider can help you understand what they mean in context, helping you see what they mean for your treatment specifically.

If you still need to look up some words, start with the National Cancer Institute, which has a glossary of over 9,000 cancer-related terms. This is a great place to go when you’re having trouble interpreting your medical records.

Staging and prognosis

The stage of cancer refers to how advanced it is. This will have an impact on your treatment options as well as your prognosis. The stage of your cancer is determined by a variety of different factors, including: 

• The size of the original tumor
• How extensively the cancer has spread into nearby organs
• Whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the area
• Whether the cancer has spread to more distant organs

Cancer stages are sometimes described using numbers between one and four, sometimes with letters to indicate substages (for example, 3A). Roman numerals (I, II, III, and IV) might represent the numbers. Higher numbers indicate more advanced cancer. 

Another common staging system uses the letters T, N, and M along with numbers. T refers to the size and extent of the original tumor, N refers to the number of affected lymph nodes, and M refers to metastasis—or distant spread of the cancer. Each of these letters receives a number, with higher numbers representing more advanced cancer.

Prognosis refers to the expected medical outcome of your disease. It’s based on the specific type of cancer you have and demographic information, like your age and sex. It’s calculated based on the outcomes of others who have had your type of cancer. 

Keep in mind that knowing exactly what will happen to an individual cancer patient is not possible. Many people are tempted to ask, “How long do I have left to live?” In truth, your provider can’t know the answer to this. They can only give you averages and percentages based on other people who have had the type of cancer you have. Although it may be useful to have some idea of what to expect and what kinds of results various treatment options may offer, it’s also important not to become too attached to the specifics of your prognosis.

Interpreting pathology reports

Pathology is the branch of medicine that looks at cells and tissues to diagnose medical conditions. 

A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue from an area of concern. A pathologist will test it, examining it under a microscope to determine whether it’s cancerous and, if so, what type of cancer it is. Identifying the exact cancer type is important because each type requires different treatments.

The medical terminology used in pathology reports is complex. Knowing exactly what each term means and how it will impact your prognosis and treatment options requires an expert. To gain a better understanding of the cancer, it’s helpful to research specific terms found in your pathology report. However, it’s best to discuss the report directly with your healthcare provider. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions necessary to ensure clarity.

Getting a second opinion

After a cancer diagnosis, things can move quickly. People often feel rushed into making life-changing decisions without having time to think everything through.

Although acting quickly is important in some cases, there is usually time to receive a second opinion. Let your oncologist know you’d like to seek a second opinion to feel more confident in making treatment decisions. If your oncologist feels that a delay in starting treatment has the potential to significantly impact your outcome, they will tell you this. In many cases, though, there is enough time to get a second opinion.

A study of hundreds of women diagnosed with breast cancer found that a second opinion significantly changed the diagnosis and treatment plan for more than 25% of them. In some cases, this avoided the need for a biopsy. In others, it caused a patient to need more extensive surgery. This study shows that getting a second opinion is not a waste of time but, in fact, may make a significant difference in your treatment.

Keeping track of your cancer journey

Managing all the information related to your cancer diagnosis can be daunting. To prevent feeling stressed, it’s a good idea to get organized from the start. It’s easier to set up a system early rather than trying to catch up later when things can get confusing.

Some people prefer to write in a notebook, while others use a file on their computer or phone. You’ll also want a physical folder for all of your medical documentation. This will make it easy to find any information you may need later. 

Anytime you have a medical appointment, make a few notes afterward about what you discussed and what decisions you made. You may like to keep one notebook page or file for tests—when you receive the results from any test, add those to the list. You could have another page or file for keeping track of your treatments, when you received them, and what side effects you experienced. This makes it easy for you to keep everything organized and to find information quickly when you need it.

Questions for your provider

You’re an active partner in your cancer treatment. Many people feel “swept away,” as if they have no control over their tests and treatment. This often makes people feel overwhelmed and anxious.

In fact, you’re in control of everything that happens during your cancer treatment. Feel free to ask your treatment team to explain what’s happening. Ask as many questions as you need to understand the situation fully. Many people write down questions as they think of them to ask at their next appointment. Some common questions include:

• What do these results mean?
• Why are you recommending this particular treatment plan?
• What results are most likely from this treatment? 
• What are the risks of this treatment? What are the known side effects?
• What are my other options?
• What are good resources for me to use to find more information?

It’s common to worry that asking questions will make you a burden or that you’ll seem pushy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Cancer treatment providers prefer patients to be actively engaged in their own care and are happy to spend time helping you understand your care.

Navigating treatment options

The number of cancer treatment options may be overwhelming. It’s helpful to have an overview of what cancer treatment may look like. Keep in mind that everyone’s path is different, meaning you won’t necessarily be using all these treatment options. Your treatment team will advise you on which specific options they recommend in your case.

The side effects of each treatment vary depending on the specific treatment used. Make sure to talk with your treatment team about the expected side effects of any treatment before you receive it. You can refuse any treatment you don’t want to have. Make sure to understand how this will affect your treatment outcomes.

Traditional treatments

Three main forms of treatment have been the mainstay for many years. Some people receive just one of these, but it’s also common to have two or even all three in combination:

Surgery 

When a cancer is confined to one area, surgery may be able to completely remove it. After the cancer has already spread, surgery will not be able to remove all of it but can help to reduce the number of cancer cells in the body. Surgery may also alleviate symptoms, such as pain caused by a tumor pressing on a nerve. There are always risks associated with surgery, such as infections and bleeding. In addition, removing specific body parts or organs may affect your appearance or bodily function. 

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy involves using medications that target rapidly dividing cells. Patients often receive a combination of chemotherapy drugs, each serving a distinct purpose. The specifics of your chemotherapy regimen will depend on your diagnosis. Chemotherapy causes side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, and hair loss, which vary depending on the specific drugs used.

Radiation therapy 

Radiation uses strong beams of energy to target and destroy cancer cells. Focusing the radiation on a specific area can help to reduce the impact on nearby healthy tissues. This way, the radiation can target the tumor effectively without causing as much harm to the surrounding healthy cells. However, there may still be side effects, such as changes in the skin, fatigue, nausea, and hair loss.

Emerging therapies

Along with the traditional treatments, some newer treatment options have recently emerged. These options have shown good results for certain types of cancer:

Immunotherapy 

Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to attack and kill cancer cells. It may involve stimulating the immune system with antibodies or using drugs that prevent cancer cells from turning off the immune system to evade detection. Immunotherapy has shown great promise for several different types of cancer. However, it may still have side effects, including fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. In rare cases, some immunotherapy drugs may cause severe immune reactions that may be fatal.

Targeted therapy 

Targeted therapy uses medications to target particular molecules cancer cells use to survive and grow. Examples include molecules that help the cancer to grow new blood vessels to gain nutrients, signals they use to divide, or receptors for hormones they need to survive. The medications may lead to side effects like skin rashes, high blood pressure, and slow wound healing. They may also cause many of the same side effects as traditional chemotherapy drugs.

Both these options are forms of precision medicine, meaning they target specific features of cancer cells. Your healthcare provider will need to test your cancer to determine whether a particular form of immunotherapy or targeted therapy would likely be effective. 

Integrative approaches

Many people are interested in holistic or alternative medical treatments. While many doctors are happy to incorporate these alternatives into your plan, it may not be a good idea to use these in place of traditional cancer treatments. None of them are individually effective enough and could prove fatal. However, holistic therapies can complement traditional medical treatments, for example, to manage side effects and improve overall quality of life. This is known as integrative medicine.

While not all complementary approaches are known to be effective, some have been found to have benefits:

Yoga and tai chi

Yoga and tai chi are forms of exercise that involve performing gentle movements in a controlled way with a relaxed mindset. Both yoga and tai chi are beneficial for cancer patients, as they may help reduce symptoms like sleep disturbances, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. However, there are many different types of yoga, some more suitable for cancer patients than others. Make sure to choose a fully certified teacher, and if possible, seek out yoga or tai chi classes specifically for people with cancer, as these will be adapted to your needs.

Meditation

Studies have found that meditation may be helpful for people with cancer, as it may help improve anxiety and mood changes. If you’re unsure how to get started, try taking a meditation class or use one of the many meditation apps available.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient healing modality that involves inserting extremely tiny needles into particular spots in the body. There is some evidence that acupuncture reduces pain in cancer patients, although not all studies have shown a benefit. Since acupuncture is unlikely to be harmful, many providers encourage their patients to try it if they’re interested.

Biofeedback 

Biofeedback involves monitoring bodily functions like heart rate, brain waves, sweating, or skin temperature. The goal is to learn to control your body’s relaxation response by gaining awareness of the physiological reactions associated with it. A few small studies have suggested that biofeedback improves quality of life and reduces emotional distress in cancer patients. More research is needed, but this may be a safe option to try.   

Many of these options help control stress. Feeling more stress during cancer treatment can negatively affect your quality of life and raise the risk of mental health problems like anxiety and depression. In addition, stress is associated with an increased chance of cancer progression and a reduced chance of survival. Complementary therapies may help to manage stress, which may make your cancer treatment more effective.

Clinical trials

A clinical trial is a research study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment or combination of treatments.

There are some potential benefits to being part of a clinical trial, including:

• Early access to new treatments. This may offer hope to cancer patients whose treatments are not working well.
• Close monitoring and regular medical care, generally at no cost to you.
• Support to advance scientific knowledge about your type of cancer. This allows you to help others who have cancer.

However, there are also some tradeoffs to consider, including:

• Not everyone who participates in a clinical trial receives the new treatment. The trial may include a control group, who will receive either the standard treatment or a placebo (an inactive treatment, such as a sugar pill), depending on the trial. To join a trial, you’ll have to agree to be randomly assigned to one of these groups. Often, you won’t know which one you’re in until after the trial is finished.
• There is no guarantee the new treatment will be more effective than the old treatments. It may also have unexpected side effects.
• There may be specific requirements for patients to be eligible to participate in a trial. You may need to have a certain type and stage of cancer, have used (or not used) particular types of treatments in the past, or be in a certain age group.

If you’re interested in finding trials you might be eligible for, the first step is to talk with your healthcare provider. You should also do your own research. The National Institutes of Health maintains a database of clinical trials in the U.S., and the National Cancer Institute has a searchable database of trials it’s involved with. If you find a trial you might be interested in, talk with your treatment team to verify you meet the criteria and decide whether you want to participate.

Dealing with physical changes

Cancer and its treatments can change your body, some things might go away after treatment, but others could stick around forever. Managing these changes and prioritizing your health throughout and after treatment is important.

Side effects of treatments

Many cancer treatments have side effects. While these vary depending on the treatment, some side effects are common to many types, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Although these side effects are often unpleasant, there are ways to manage them: 

Fatigue 

Fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer treatment, reported by 87% of patients. During treatment, you may be unable to stay as active as you were before. Prioritize getting enough sleep each night, and take breaks to rest throughout the day. Don’t push yourself to do too much. Your body needs rest for recovery.

Nausea and vomiting 

Eating smaller meals more frequently and avoiding greasy or fatty foods is often helpful in reducing nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatments. Prescription medications are also available to help with nausea.

Digestive changes (diarrhea or constipation) 

Drinking enough water, eating enough fiber, and eating smaller meals frequently often helps to avoid diarrhea or constipation from cancer treatments. You may receive a prescription for laxatives if lifestyle changes don’t solve your issues with constipation.

Hair loss 

Hair loss is a common side effect of cancer treatments. It can affect not only the scalp but also the eyebrows and eyelashes. Wearing a cold cap during treatment can reduce the risk by about 40%. It’s important to know that hair usually grows back after treatment, though it may take time.

Mouth sores 

Experiencing mouth sores during cancer treatment can be uncomfortable. Relief can come from using ice chips or cold water rinses and applying soothing topical treatments to the sores. Prescription medications, along with maintaining good oral hygiene, can also help manage the severity of mouth sores. Making dietary adjustments for comfort can be helpful, too.

Headaches 

Headaches may be caused by cancer itself or by treatments. Getting enough sleep and exercise may reduce the number of headaches you experience. Several medications can also relieve headaches. Make sure to talk with your treatment team about which over-the-counter pain relievers are safe for you to use. Prescription options are also available.

Although these side effects are common to many different types of cancer and treatments, several side effects may occur only in certain cases. Whenever you experience something that bothers you, tell your treatment team about it. There are often effective ways to reduce your side effects and help you feel more comfortable.

Managing changes in appearance and body image

Self-esteem is an important part of mental health. Studies have shown that, in people going through cancer treatment, low self-esteem may be associated with a higher risk of depression. It’s important to be prepared for the potential impact of cancer on your self-esteem and to take steps to maintain your self-image.

Although the changes in your appearance as a result of cancer treatment may be unavoidable, there are ways you can feel better: 

Stay as physically active as possible 

Exercise is important for staying both physically and mentally healthy. Try to find time for some physical activity every day, doing something you enjoy. In some areas, there are exercise classes specifically for people with cancer where you can connect with other cancer patients.

Invest in your appearance 

If you’re dealing with hair loss, it may help to invest in a wig. As your hair grows back, you can use the opportunity to try some new hairstyles, even taking the wig to the hair salon if you want professional guidance. If you’ve lost or gained weight, buy new clothing that flatters your new body type. 

Talk with a therapist 

It may be challenging to deal with the changes to your body that cancer and its treatment cause. A mental health professional can help you to come to terms with the situation. If you already have a therapist or counselor, bring up the issue of how you feel about your body during your next appointment. If you don’t have one, consider finding someone experienced in helping cancer patients.

Remember that many changes are temporary 

Things like weight changes, swelling of the face or other body parts, and hair loss will generally get better after you finish your cancer treatment. Try to keep this perspective if you find yourself struggling with how your body looks during treatment.

Consider whether you’d like to undergo reconstruction 

In some cases, reconstructive procedures help to restore the appearance of your body. This isn’t always possible, and not everyone can or wants to undergo another surgical procedure. However, if you’re bothered by changes in your appearance, ask your healthcare provider whether reconstruction would be an option for you. 

You may also have other options—for example, after a mastectomy (removal of a breast), women may choose to wear an external breast form (an artificial breast) or have reconstructive surgery to replace the missing breast.

Nutrition during cancer treatment

Nutrition is key during cancer treatment. It’s important to eat well. This will help prevent weight loss, manage digestive side effects, support your body as it heals, and maintain mental health.

It’s best to get support from a nutritionist for personalized advice on how to keep yourself healthy as you’re going through treatment. Several dietary factors are generally important for people with cancer:

Get enough calories

People undergoing cancer treatment are at risk of losing weight. Weight loss decreases the likelihood of successful treatment and interferes with quality of life. Even when you’re not hungry or feeling nauseated, it’s important to prioritize eating enough food to meet your body’s needs.

Get enough protein 

Your body needs protein to heal and repair tissues. When you don’t have enough protein, your body will break down your muscle tissue. This has been shown to increase side effects and even decrease survival rates. 

Foods like meat, eggs, dairy, seeds, nuts, and beans contain high levels of protein. Some people also benefit from drinking protein shakes or making smoothies with protein powder to meet their needs.

Get enough micronutrients

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals—nutrients your body needs in relatively small amounts. It is often challenging to consume enough of these, particularly when you’re having trouble eating enough food to avoid losing weight. 

Micronutrients have been shown to play an important role in recovery from cancer treatment. To ensure you’re consuming enough, eat a balanced diet with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and consider taking a daily multivitamin if you’re unable to keep food down.

Pay attention to food safety

Cancer treatments often impact your immune system, which may leave you more vulnerable to infections. Don’t eat food past its expiration date or that doesn’t look and smell fresh, and thoroughly cook your food.

Practical concerns

Cancer treatment impacts every facet of your life—from work to relationships and finances. There are a few common issues that come up for many people as they try to manage their cancer along with other aspects of their lives.

Talking about your diagnosis

People with cancer may worry about how they’ll tell their friends and loved ones about their diagnosis. Although this may be an uncomfortable conversation, it’s valuable to tell those close to you what’s going on as soon as you can to gain the support you need. There are a few ways to make this process easier:

Consider who you’d like to tell first 

Most people start with those they’re closest to, like their partner and close family members, followed by close friends. Talking to these people in person is usually best, although a phone call or video chat may also work, especially for those who live farther away. After you’ve told those closest to you, move on to those whom you aren’t quite as close with. You may also like to ask your close friends to share with others who are more distant to avoid having many separate conversations.

Decide how much you want to share 

You don’t have to share everything about your cancer diagnosis. For example, you might not want other people’s opinions on the treatment course you’ve chosen. If someone asks about information you’re not ready to share, simply say you’re not ready to talk about that yet.

Consider what kind of help you need 

Oftentimes, our friends and family will want to help you along your cancer journey. During the initial conversation, many people will ask, “How can I help?” Think about any help you would like during your treatment beforehand, such as receiving cooked meals, getting rides to and from appointments, or having someone run your errands.

Look into using sharing sites 

Sharing sites are websites specifically designed for cancer patients to share updates. You control who can see your updates and what you share. This prevents you from having to continuously update everyone individually.

Managing work and careers

For many people, work is a major part of life. If you’ve previously focused on building your career, it may be scary to think about the impact cancer may have on this. Even if your job is not an important part of your identity, balancing work and treatment needs may be challenging. 

Since most people’s health insurance is tied to their jobs, quitting work to focus on treatment is often not an option. You’ll also need to think about your life after cancer, meaning it’s important to make sure you take care of your livelihood. There are a few ways to help manage your work life during your cancer treatment journey:

Don’t keep your diagnosis a secret 

Many people don’t want to talk about having cancer, but the truth is navigating work and cancer treatment will be much easier if your boss and coworkers are aware of your diagnosis. You may want to talk to your boss first and then ask how best to let the team know. People are likely to be accommodating if they’re aware of what you’re going through. However, if you don’t tell them, they may think you’re slacking off.

Prioritize your self-care 

If you’ve been a “workaholic” in the past, now is the time to give that up, at least temporarily. Don’t agree to take on extra projects or work extra hours. Your boss and coworkers will understand why you can’t commit to anything extra right now. Once you’ve completed your cancer treatment, you can start climbing the career ladder again if you’d like.

Ask for any accommodations you need 

Having an open and honest conversation with your boss about your cancer makes a huge difference. Ask for any accommodations that will help you manage your job while undergoing treatment. You may need to have more flexible hours, work from home more often, or take a sick day after each round of chemo to recover. The specifics will depend on your job, but your boss won’t be able to help you meet your needs unless you communicate them. 

Navigating health insurance and finances

Finances are often a major source of stress for people going through cancer treatment. Studies have shown that about half of all cancer patients experience financial distress as a result of their diagnosis and treatment. Of course, this problem isn’t evenly distributed—those who struggled more with their finances before getting cancer and those who don’t have adequate health insurance are more likely to experience severe financial distress.

The cost of treatment often adds up quickly, leaving many anxious about running out of money. Dealing with insurance companies may also be a huge hassle. There are a few ways to manage financial issues during cancer treatment:

Call your insurance company to ask about your coverage 

Wondering whether your insurance will cover your next scan or a new treatment you’re starting can be stressful. To avoid surprises, it’s best to understand fully what your insurance will and won’t pay for. Navigating the extensive paperwork that accompanies your plan can be challenging. Instead, consider calling your insurance company to verify whether a specific scan or treatment is covered.

Look for financial assistance 

If you can’t afford your cancer treatments, help is available. Many states and even hospitals have financial assistance programs, which may help you pay for your treatment. Ask your treatment team to connect you with these programs or search for programs in your area. This may make a huge difference in alleviating your financial stress.

Do your best to stick to your treatment plan 

When you’re worried about finances, it may be tempting to skip medications or appointments. This is dangerous and may prevent your treatment from being effective. Remember, the most important thing right now is beating cancer. Once you’re in remission, you can work on solving any financial problems. Don’t try to save money on your cancer treatments.

Life after cancer

It may seem hard to believe at first, but your cancer treatment will eventually come to an end. If all goes well, you’ll one day be cancer-free. This is remission—when there’s no evidence of cancer. During this phase, there are still various aspects to consider and manage. Once your treatment is finished, how will you optimize your quality of life?

Emotional recovery and dealing with the anxiety of recurrence

Even after successful cancer treatment, many people worry their cancer will come back. Cancer returning is known as cancer recurrence. Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is common. Research shows that about 59% of all cancer survivors experience moderate FCR, and 19% are severely affected.

To help you reduce your fear of cancer recurrence and live your best life after cancer, it’s important to find ways to deal with anxiety like:

Practice mindfulness 

When you find yourself worrying about future possibilities, it’s helpful to refocus on the present. Taking a mindfulness class, whether in person or online, can help you learn and practice some skills for staying present. A large body of research demonstrates that mindfulness is associated with improvements in both physical and mental health.

Join a support group for cancer survivors 

Talking to others in a similar situation can give you perspective and advice on managing your fears. You may be able to find these groups at your local hospital. Alternatively, search online for groups in your area. If you join a support group for cancer patients earlier in your journey, they will be able to connect you to a group for cancer survivors.

Talk with a mental health professional 

Having a therapist or counselor help you navigate your feelings is often valuable. Your therapist can teach you techniques to use when you find yourself spiraling into anxiety and help you learn to stay calm and focus on the positives. You might already have a therapist from earlier in your cancer journey. If you don’t, consider looking for someone with experience supporting cancer survivors.

Support others

When you’re feeling anxious, shifting your focus away from yourself can be beneficial. Consider offering your time to support people who are currently undergoing cancer treatment. They’ll benefit from your wisdom and experience—and you’ll feel good about helping someone through a tough time. You can connect with such people through cancer support groups.

Prioritize personal growth 

Research has shown that people who have had cancer experience more personal growth over the following years and feel more appreciation for life. Take time to think about how your experience with cancer changes the way you think about your life and the new things you want to achieve.

Regular health checks and scans

It’s important to pay attention to your emotional health after cancer recovery, but you also need to pay attention to your physical health. Cancer survivors generally need to receive regular health checks and scans to ensure that they’re healthy and that the cancer hasn’t come back. If it does come back, this will help to catch it early, which increases the likelihood of successful retreatment.

Your treatment team will give you a personalized plan for your care after your cancer treatment is complete. Make sure you schedule all appointments as recommended by your care team. Sometimes, people decide to skip their future health checks and scans because they feel anxious about what they might find out. However, keeping these appointments will generally give you peace of mind.

Your team will also let you know about the possible signs of recurrence of your particular cancer. These are generally similar to the initial signs of your cancer. While cancer recurrence could happen at the initial site of the tumor, it could also happen in a distant part of the body where the cancer cells have spread. This means the signs of recurrence may be different from the initial symptoms of your cancer or may occur in a different place. You might experience:

• An unusual lump in the body
• Pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Bleeding or bruising easily
• Persistent fever (meaning it doesn’t go away after a few days)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Blood in your urine or a dark color to your urine

If you notice any of these signs, consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Remember that many other conditions can also cause these signs, so it’s important not to panic if you experience them. However, it’s important to check for a recurrence of your cancer. If you do have cancer again, it may be treatable, although you may need a different type of treatment than you had the first time.