Top tips - Worrying about cancer coming back

Often once you finish treatment you might worry about the cancer returning. Feeling scared, anxious or frightened can prevent you from getting on with your life. But, there are some ways to help you cope, get support, and manage your uncertainty. Our intern Liza put together this blog, where we talk you through three top tips to cope with worrying about cancer coming back.

Top Tip 1: Focus on today. If you can stop dwelling on ‘what ifs’ you can concentrate on what you can do right now.

Things you can do:

1. Focus on your wellbeing. Making healthy choices can have positive effects on your life. These could include stopping smoking, being more active, or eating healthily.
   
   
2. Make time to relax. Relaxing can be as simple as going for a walk, enjoying a meal, gardening, listening to music, or having a bath. Do things you look forward to and be with people you’re close to.
   
   
3. Look ahead. Some day-to-day things you did before cancer will gradually start to fit back into your life. Going back to work or picking up hobbies can feel good. Having goals for the future can shift your focus away from the cancer.

Top Tip 2: Express yourself. Talking, writing, and expressing how you feel can help manage your emotions and cope with fears.

Things you can do:

1. Talk to someone you trust. Getting your feelings out into the open can be rewarding.
   
   
2. Join a support group. Visit macmillan.org.uk/selfhelpandsupport or join the Macmillan Online Community where you can join a conversation, ask questions, or just read through posts.
   
3. Go to your local Macmillan information and support centre to talk face to face. Or call our specialists Monday to Friday 9am-8pm on 0808 808 00 00.
   
   
4. Write down your feelings. Putting things in writing can be a great way of getting your worries out. Reading it back might help identify where your concerns are and help you focus on what you want to change.
   
   
5. Use a thinking tool like this one:

Top Tip 3: Stay in touch. Sometimes, after treatment it may be tempting to take a break from everything cancer-related. But it’s important to follow the advice your cancer team gives you. 

1. Before treatment finishes, you can ask your specialist nurse or doctor about what to expect after treatment. This includes symptoms to look out for and any late effects of treatment to expect.
   
   
2. Let a doctor or nurse know if you have new or returning symptoms, or if you suffer from side effects that aren’t improving.
   
   
3. Keep up with your appointments.
   
   
4. It’s okay to contact your nurse or doctor in-between appointments if you are worried. Or you can call the Macmillan Support line on 0808 808 00 00.
   
   
5. Listen to your cancer team. They may have advice about lifestyle changes, medications to take, or appointments to attend. These things are important to keep in mind as you move forward.

Constantly worrying is stressful and can make you anxious. Focusing instead on your recovery and wellbeing may be able to help.

Macmillan is always here for you. You can call our free, confidential support line Monday-Friday 9am to 8pm on 0808 808 00 00 or email us via our website.

Useful Macmillan resources you can order:

• Worrying about cancer coming back
• How are you feeling?
• Your feelings after cancer treatment
• Life after cancer treatment
• Recipes
• Ten top tips for what to do after treatment ends

Other helpful organisations:

• Anxiety UK: Tel 08444 775 774
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): Tel 01455 883 300
• Maggie’s Centres: Tel 0300 123 1801
  
  

To see what else Macmillan's cancer information team has been blogging about, please visit our blog home page! You can subscribe to receive our blogs by email or RSS too.

We're with you every step of the way

The Macmillan team is here to help. Our cancer support specialists can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00.

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Keep in touch Follow Macmillan’s cancer information team on Twitter @mac_cancerinfo