If you have had curative or potentially curative treatment - for example, early stage, single, small neuroendocrine cancers that has been completely removed - with no or low risk factors for recurrence. You may not have required any follow up - or follow- up has been short-term. It is not unusual to experience anxiety, about the possibility of recurrence, even when you have been given the ‘all- clear’. Even years after treatment, certain things may trigger uncomfortable feelings, for example, the anniversary of a diagnosis, a cancer in a friend, a TV storyline or a new ache or pain.
“Sometimes it feels like no-one else can really understand what’s going on in your head and your heart after having cancer. There’s almost this pressure to feel grateful its all done with - ‘get on with your life’ and I do, mostly, but there are down days, and that’s when all those thoughts and feelings start to come back.”
Click here to read Karen’s story about coping with her diagnosis
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