A lot of emphasis has been placed on early cancer detection and treatment plans, which have become more successful over the years. It is a big relief to know that cancer doesn’t equal death.
The survivors of the attack of these cellular tyrants are usually excited to conclude their treatments and be declared cancer free.
They look forward to transitioning from being sick to living healthy lives again. There’s a surge of hope, strength, and a willingness to see what this new chapter of their lives will bring.
But after the music, congratulatory messages, gifts, and homecoming, they often have to deal with challenges that outlive cancer.
They face psychological and emotional downtimes many years after treatment and have different experiences as they navigate life, dealing with the aftermath of cancer treatment.
Some still suffer some cancer symptoms and treatment side effects long after they are declared cancer-free. Things usually do not go back to the way they used to be.
Life after cancer is not all rosy. It is the least understood aspect of cancer treatment but should also be given as much attention.
With these 5 things they never tell you about life after cancer, you’ll get to peek into the world of cancer survivorship to understand the nuances of their new lives.
This article will help you understand yourself or a loved one who has survived cancer and give you insight into their experiences.
5 Things They Never Tell You About Life After Cancer
1. The fear of recurrence
The return home for a cancer survivor is accompanied by mixed emotions, but the fear that their cancer will come back at some point tops the chart, especially in the first year after treatment.
The thought of how their world tilted the first time they got the news that they had cancer, the journey of their treatment and recovery usually stirs up anxiety and fear. Coupled with the fact that there’s no way to know for sure that the cancer won’t return.
Some may be worried that they may not catch the early symptoms should it return or that they might do something to trigger it’s return.
These fears may intensify with each routine follow-up visit, scan, lab test, the anniversary of their diagnosis, or when they hear of someone who got a cancer diagnosis or whose cancer returned.
These fears could keep the survivor from living the happy life they truly desire. It could hinder them from planning for the future, getting married, going off to college, pursuing their career, or even enjoying their current realities.
The truth is these fears are real and normal but should be addressed, especially if they persist since they could be crippling and lead to further psychological challenges.
2. Physical changes
Cancer usually leaves a scar of physical changes that show up immediately or many months or years after treatment.
These effects vary based on the cancer type, treatment plan, and individual, but they generally affect the quality of life of the survivors.
One of the most common effects is fatigue. This could be due to mental stress, chemotherapy, or exposure to radiation. As the body works to repair the damaged cells caused by the cancer treatment, it results in energy depletion.
There could also be a loss of sexual drive and fertility, which could in turn affect their ability to bear children.
Some cancer survivors may experience amputations and disfigurement, thus becoming dependent.
Due to exposure to chemotherapy and radiation, survivors could suffer anemia, as these treatment plans are known to cause the depletion of other healthy cells in the body, including red blood cells.
The white blood cells, which are in charge of immunity, are also destroyed. Thus, these survivors are predisposed to repeated infections.
These survivors also have to deal with insomnia, which could be a result of the treatment or the accompanying stress.
A large number of them also experience persistent pain or tingling from neuropathy. This could be progressive and is usually irreversible.
Other physical changes include memory and learning issues, temporary hair loss, incontinence, hearing loss, and skin problems.
3. Psychology
The psychological aftermath of surviving cancer is a subtle but profound effect that should be given attention. The survivor may look fine on the outside but maybe a mental wreck.
Anxiety and fear due to the uncertainties that mark cancer could send a survivor spiraling down a mental black hole. Oftentimes, it leads to depression.
After recovering, the support these individuals had been receiving would decrease. They could battle feelings of loneliness and abandonment for that reason.
Survivor guilt is also common. It is a situation where the survivor wonders why they survived cancer when others didn’t. Some wish to be dead and may have suicidal thoughts and plans.
Furthermore, the treatments these survivors received could affect their physical bodies in that they may suffer hair loss, excessive weight loss, or amputation. Consequently, they develop low self-esteem and a poor body image and, in turn, isolate themselves from meaningful social interactions.
Some survivors also develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), marked by nightmares, insomnia, and a loss of interest in people and places they may have been interested in before their diagnosis.
4. Relationships
A cancer diagnosis can bear down on a patient’s love relationship. It could amplify troubles or bring a couple closer, depending on the partner’s willingness to be supportive.
And even after the treatment and recovery, it may not be easy to bounce back to the level of intimacy that existed before.
Their sexual lives could also be greatly affected due to the changes that occur in their reproductive systems upon treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. Sex could become painful, sexual organs could become numb, and libido could nosedive.
“A cancer diagnosis often has a ripple effect on how patients see themselves, on their lives, and on their relationships,” says Cheyenne Corbett, director of the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program.
Friends, colleagues, and family members may treat the survivor differently simply because they do not know how to act around them. They may avoid the survivor or may be trying not to bring up the issue of cancer. Family members could also become overprotective of them.
This fear of being treated differently or being ostracized could also affect the survivors psychologically.
The survivor could also withdraw because they may feel that the people around them do not understand what they’ve been through or where they are in their recovery. That could be burdensome for them.
5. Financial Strain
All the steps in cancer treatment – chemotherapy, radiation, lab tests, medications, doctor visits, etc – require a high level of financial commitment.
Other aspects of the survivor’s life would also require finances. Things such as child care, housing, feeding, utilities, and transportation.
Add all of that to the fact that these survivors may not be able to work while undergoing treatment or for a while during recovery. So their sources of income might stall during this period. Many run into debts that they have to offset long after their treatment.
This financial hardship among cancer survivors and the burden on their families may add to their anxiety and mental stress. It also leads to a reduced quality of life. Some may skip follow-up care for lack of funds.
Tips To Alleviate The Aftermath Of Cancer Treatment:
Having explored these 5 things they never tell you about life after cancer, here are a few tips to help a cancer survivor navigate their lives going forward.
- Talk to your health providers and see a therapist in the event of continued fear or depression.
- Be open in your communication with your family and friends about your emotions and how you want to be treated. You could also share your experiences with them so that they can better understand you.
- Adopt a positive mindset of gratitude; you fought hard and overcame. Also, see follow-up visits as a means of reassurance and to catch the symptoms of a recurrence early.
- Do the things that make you happy: read funny books, see a movie, take a walk at the beach, or ride a bike.
- Take care of your health, sleep well, and avoid alcohol and tobacco.
- Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
- Pursue your dreams, and continue your education or career.
- Wait until you are ready before becoming intimate again with your spouse. You could also consider adoption or fertility treatment in cases where fertility is affected.
Life’s given you a second chance, use it to the fullest, unapologetically.
