The suggestions listed below are widely accepted by the cancer community. While they are not the direct result of research, members of the cancer community and other survivors generally support these suggestions. Some of these suggestions may not be helpful for you. You might want to discuss these suggestions with your health care team to find out if they are right for you.
There are many things you can do that can help you manage emotions after cancer treatment ends. Try some of the suggestions below to see what works best for you, or seek other ideas from your health care team, other cancer survivors or friends.
Talk about your feelings with others
Holding negative feelings inside and not talking about them can make them grow stronger and last longer. Releasing feelings can help to relieve stress. Share your concerns with people you trust.
Try not to judge your feelings
Feelings are sometimes uncomfortable and hard to understand. But your feelings can give you important insights as you come to terms with your cancer experience and make decisions about your future. Be patient with yourself and what you are feeling.
However, if your feelings are overwhelming and interfere with your normal activities, talking with a mental health professional can help.
Talk about any distress you are experiencing with your health care team
They can evaluate your symptoms, suggest treatment options and help you find other resources that can help. You can use the Live Strong Health Journal to write down all of your experiences and emotional concerns. Take the Journal with you to health care team visits to help you tell the team what you are feeling. Find the Journal by selecting “Survivorship Tools” on the Live Strong home page.
Find a support group
Support groups provide a safe environment to share experiences with other survivors, learn new ways to handle difficult situations and talk about emotions. You will see different styles of managing emotions and adjusting to life as a cancer survivor. If you are uncomfortable talking about certain subjects with your family or friends, a support group offers you a place to talk freely about what is important to you. Cancer support groups exist in most communities.
Some ways to find out more about support groups in your area:
Ask your health care team for suggestions. Some cancer programs offer support groups for cancer survivors and their family members right in the clinic or hospital.
Call a nearby cancer center or university hospital and ask about support groups.
Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) and request a list of support groups and cancer centers in your area.
Visit LIVESTRONGTM SurvivorCare at www.livestrong.org/survivorcare, or call 1-866-235-7205 for information on support groups.
Find a counselor
Discuss your needs with your family and health care team. This helps you clarify your needs and decide what kind of counseling is best for you. Ask a member of your health care team for a referral to a therapist who works with other cancer survivors. Most cancer centers employ oncology social workers who are specially trained to work with cancer survivors and their families. Even if you are not a patient at a cancer center, the oncology social worker may meet with you or refer you to someone else in the community.
Interview the counselor to find out if he or she is the right professional for you. Speak honestly and let him or her know your reasons for wanting to work with a counselor.
Examples of questions to ask the counselor:
What type of education background do you have?
What license do you have?
What is your experience working with people with cancer?
What do you understand about the emotional response to this illness?
Do you take my insurance?
Do you work with people who are anxious? Depressed?
Do you know community resources for people with cancer?
For immediate crisis
If you are having thoughts about hurting yourself or ending your life, or if you feel that you can’t go on anymore:
Dial 911 from any phone or call your local emergency response number for immediate help.
Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to speak with a trained crisis worker. They answer calls 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
In addition, you should:
Contact and talk with your health care team.
Contact and talk with a trusted family member, friend or faith-based leader.
Look for creative outlets that help you safely release your feelings
Art activities like drawing and painting can help you to express feelings that are difficult to put into words. You don’t have to have any formal training or equipment. Music, poetry and dance movement are other activities you can use to express yourself and relieve stress.
Write your thoughts and feelings down in a journal
Keeping a diary or journal may help you understand and find meaning in what is happening in your life. Writing down your thoughts and feelings about your experiences can help you feel more in control and release emotions that you are holding inside. You can keep all your writing completely private, or you can choose to share your writing with selected friends and family.
Exercise
With your physician’s approval, choose an exercise program that is appropriate for your condition and that you enjoy. Even a light walk around the block or gentle stretching can help you regain your emotional balance and relieve stress.
