Mental wellbeing and cancer
If you've been diagnosed with cancer you're likely to feel a range of different emotions. These will probably change over time, during and after your treatment.
Common feelings after a diagnosis of cancer include:
- shock and denial
- fear and anxiety
- guilt
- sadness and depression
- anger
Try to manage your feelings and emotions yourself:
- take each day as it comes. Set small goals for each day and build up slowly
- exercise. This increases the body’s level of endorphins which helps us feel good
- eat well. Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet
- avoid alcohol and drugs. They will make you feel worse once the effects wear off
- use relaxation techniques to help you relax
- talk to other people about how you feel or join a local or online support group
Visit our mental wellbeing webpages to find more information about mental health and wellbeing.
Both the Cancer Research UK website and the Macmillan Cancer Support website have lots of information to help you cope with your emotions both during and after treatment.
Beechwood Cancer Care in Stockport can also help you and your family with the emotional impact of cancer. They offer counselling, complementary therapy and support groups.