This is a normal reaction to having had cancer - and can keep you alert for changes in health that may require a review or investigation. However, if this concern starts to impact on your well-being - interfering with your ability to live well / plan for the future - there are strategies you can use to help you deal with this: • Be clear on symptoms: as part of your discharge from care, you may have been given advice on what symptoms to look out for that may need medical review. Check with your team or GP on what is ‘normal’: knowing what to expect may help you stop worrying that every ache or pain means the cancer has returned. Keep in mind that some symptoms may occur as a result of treatment rather than disease. If you do experience a symptom that does not go away or gets worse, talk with your health care team. • Use techniques to help manage the emotions and feelings associated with uncertainty / anxiety, e.g., ‘Four square breathing’ or ‘the 54321 technique’ - both can be used to help re-centre yourself. There are also self-help Apps such as Buddhify or Calm that have music, sleep stories, and guided meditations that may help you feel calmer. • Focus on wellness and what’s important to you: it’s ok to acknowledge your feelings of anxiety - telling yourself not to worry or criticising yourself for being afraid may not be helpful - will not make these feelings go away. However, redirecting some, if not all, of the energy that worrying can use up, towards recovery and living well can help. “Find your joy” - whether it’s time spent with family or friends, a hobby or activity, a walk in the park or countryside, or a soak in the bath.
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