My Mental Health
Taking care of your mental health is an important part of life after cancer. These resources offer helpful information and support to manage emotions, stress, and well-being. Remember, talking to a healthcare professional can make a big difference.
Here are some common concerns and reliable resources for support:
Anxiety
Feeling anxious after cancer is normal, especially when worrying about the future or cancer coming back. Techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and relaxation exercises can help reduce anxiety and improve well-being. Talking to a healthcare provider or joining a support group can also be helpful.
National Cancer Institute – Helping Cancer Survivors Cope with Cancer-Related Anxiety and Distress
Discusses common emotional challenges after treatment and provides strategies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and support groups to manage anxiety.
CancerCare – Meditation Exercises
Offers meditation exercises to help cancer survivors reduce stress, improve focus, and promote relaxation.
MD Anderson Cancer Center – 10 Ways to Ease Stress and Anxiety During Cancer Treatment
Shares practical strategies to manage anxiety, including helping others, relaxation techniques, and staying active to improve emotional well-being.
Depression
Depression is common among cancer patients and survivors and can affect daily life. Recognizing symptoms and seeking support through therapy, medication, and self-care strategies can help improve emotional well-being.
American Cancer Society: Depression
Explains depression in cancer patients and survivors, covering symptoms, causes, and treatment options like counseling, medication, and complementary therapies.
MD Anderson Cancer Center – Managing Depression During Your Cancer Treatment
Provides insights into depression, including signs to look for, coping strategies, and treatment options to help survivors manage their mental health.
Fear of Recurrence
Many cancer survivors worry about cancer coming back. This fear is normal and can be managed with healthy coping strategies, such as staying informed, practicing mindfulness, joining support groups, and talking to a counselor. Focusing on what you can control, like regular check-ups and healthy habits, can help ease anxiety.
CancerCare: Coping With the Fear of Cancer Returning
Offers insights into managing fear of recurrence, highlighting the importance of support groups, counseling, and self-care to ease anxiety.
Cleveland Clinic: Coping With Fear of Cancer Recurrence and Progression
Discusses common triggers of fear and provides tips on using mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and professional support to manage these emotions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Some cancer survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the trauma of diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms may include flashbacks, severe anxiety, and persistent distressing thoughts about the experience. Therapy, support groups, and medication can help manage PTSD and improve emotional well-being. Talking to a healthcare provider is an important step toward recovery.
American Cancer Society – Cancer-Related Post-Traumatic Stress and PTSD
Explains how PTSD affects cancer survivors, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options such as therapy, medication, and coping strategies.
BreastCancer.Org – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Covers symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options to help cancer survivors manage PTSD and improve emotional well-being.
Discusses how mindfulness can reduce stress and improve emotional well-being for cancer survivors, with practical tips on incorporating mindfulness into daily life.
Body Image Issues
Cancer treatment can lead to changes in appearance, which may affect self-esteem and confidence. It’s normal to feel self-conscious, but support is available. Counseling, support groups, and self-care practices can help you adjust and feel more comfortable in your body. Talking with a professional or others who understand can make a big difference.
Canadian Cancer Society – Coping with Body Image and Self-Esteem Worries
Provides guidance on coping with body image and self-esteem changes after cancer treatment. It offers practical tips on managing emotional challenges, finding support, and rebuilding confidence to help survivors navigate changes in appearance and self-perception.
MacMillan Cancer Support – Changes to Your Appearance and Body Image
A resource discussing how cancer and its treatments can affect your body and self-perception, offering practical advice on coping with these changes.
"Chemo Brain" or "Brain Fog"
Some cancer survivors experience thinking and memory problems, often called “chemo brain.” This can include trouble concentrating, forgetting things, or feeling mentally slow. Strategies like mental exercises, staying organized, getting enough rest, and reducing stress can help manage these changes. Talk to your doctor if this is something that you are experiencing and is affecting your daily life.
American Cancer Society – Changes in Memory, Thinking, and Focus (Chemo Brain)
This resource explains the cognitive effects that can occur during and after cancer treatment, providing insights into symptoms and management strategies.
National Cancer Institute – Memory or Concentration Problems and Cancer Treatment
Offers detailed information on how cancer treatments can affect cognitive functions and suggests ways to cope with these changes.
CancerCare – Coping with Chemo Brain: Keeping your Memory Sharp
Provides helpful strategies for managing chemo brain, a common cognitive issue for cancer survivors. It offers practical tips to improve memory, focus, and thinking skills, along with guidance on how to seek support from healthcare professionals.
Helpful Apps and Tools
This app provides guided meditation and relaxation exercises to help manage stress and improve sleep quality, contributing to overall well-being.
Provides guided meditations, breathing exercises, and sleep support to help manage stress, anxiety, and overall well-being.
Mobile app created by the National Center for Telehealth & Technology that teaches breathing techniques and may help individuals manage anxiety, stress, and PTSD effectively.
A free app offering guided mindfulness exercises developed by the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center to reduce stress and anxiety.
