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Consumer Health: Managing your emotions after cancer treatment
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As a cancer survivor, you may have mixed emotions at completing your treatment plan. Though you, your friends and your family are all eager to return to a more normal life, it can be scary to leave the protective cocoon of health care providers who supported you through treatment.
Fear of recurrence is common among cancer survivors. Though they may go years without any sign of disease, cancer survivors say the thought of recurrence is always with them. You might worry that every ache or pain is a sign of your cancer recurring.
Lingering feelings of sadness and anger can interfere with your daily life. For many people, these feelings will dissipate. But for others, these feelings can develop into depression. Feeling as if others can't understand what you've been through can lead to loneliness, and the urge to make up for lost time can cause stress.
All of these feelings are normal and common. Recovering from cancer treatment isn't just about your body. It's also about healing your mind. Take time to acknowledge what you're feeling. Then it's important to take steps to understand why you feel these emotions and what you can do about them.
Learn more about managing your emotions after cancer treatment.
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