Life after chemotherapy

Adjusting to life after treatment

For most people, the cancer experience doesn’t end on the last day of treatment. Life after cancer treatment can present its own challenges. You may have mixed feelings when treatment ends, and worry that every ache and pain means the cancer is coming back.

Some people say that they feel pressure to return to “normal life”. It’s important to allow yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional changes, and establish a new daily routine at your own pace. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust.

Cancer Connect can help you connect with other people who have had chemotherapy, and provide you with information about living well after cancer. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20.

Follow-up appointments

After chemotherapy ends, you’ll have regular appointments with your oncologist or haematologist to monitor your health, manage any long term side effects, and check that the cancer hasn’t come back or spread.

During these check-ups, you’ll usually have a physical examination and you may have blood tests, x-rays or scans. You’ll also be able to discuss how you’re feeling and mention any concerns you may have.

You may also have regular check-ups with other specialists who have been involved in your treatment. If you need it, you’ll often receive continued support from allied health professionals, such as a physiotherapist or dietitian. If you live in a rural or regional area, these check-ups may happen through telehealth.

Check-ups will become less frequent if you have no further problems. Between follow-up appointments, let your doctor know immediately of any symptoms or health problems.

When a follow-up appointment or test is approaching, many people find that they think more about the cancer and may feel anxious.

Talk to your treatment team or call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 if you’re finding it hard to manage this anxiety. 

Once treatment was finished, it was quite daunting and I was fearful that the cancer would come back somewhere. Eight years later, it hasn’t, which is fantastic.

Pete

Dealing with feelings of sadness

If you have continued feelings of sadness, have trouble getting up in the morning or have lost motivation to do things that previously gave you pleasure, you may be experiencing depression. This is quite common among people who have had cancer.

Talk to your GP, because counselling or medication, even for a short time, may help. Some people can get a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist. Cancer Council may also run a counselling program in your area. 

For information about coping with depression and anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.