Life after treatment for brain tumours

Adjusting to life after treatment

Some people continue to have regular treatment, but for those who finish their treatment, the cancer experience doesn’t usually end there. Life after cancer treatment can present its own challenges. You may have mixed feelings when treatment ends, and worry about the cancer coming back.

Some people say that they feel pressure to return to “normal life”. It is 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 on 13 11 20 can help you connect with other people who have had cancer, and provide you with information about the emotional and practical aspects of living well after cancer.

Follow-up appointments

After treatment ends, you will have regular appointments to monitor your health, manage any long-term side effects and check that the tumour hasn’t come back or spread. During these check-ups, you will usually have a physical examination and you may have blood tests or MRI scans. How often you see your doctor will depend on the type of tumour and treatments you had. Between follow-up appointments, let your doctor know immediately of any new or changing symptoms or health problems.

When a follow-up appointment or test is approaching, you may feel anxious. Talk to your treatment team or call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 if you are finding it hard to manage this anxiety.

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 22 4636. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

What if the tumour returns?

For some people, a brain or spinal cord tumour can come back or keep growing despite treatment. If the tumour returns, this is called a recurrence. Your treatment options will depend on your situation and the treatments you’ve already had, but may include surgery, radiation therapy combined with drug therapies including chemotherapy, or another systemic therapy.

Targeted therapy drugs attack specific features of cancer cells. Bevacizumab is a targeted therapy drug that can be used to treat advanced brain cancer. Bevacizumab is most helpful when the tumour is causing swelling in the brain. Your doctor will talk to you about the benefits and possible risks. Other targeted therapy drugs and immunotherapy may be available on clinical trials. Talk with your doctor about the latest developments and whether you are a suitable candidate.