(Cancer Net) — After treatment ends, one of the most common concerns survivors have is that the cancer will come back. If this does happen, it is called cancer recurrence.
Having a fear of recurrence is very normal. The main way to reduce the chance of cancer recurrence is to have a good follow-up care plan, also called a survivorship care plan, with a health care team you trust. Knowing your health is being closely monitored can help reduce your fear of recurrence. If fear of recurrence persists, there are additional things you can do to help control this fear and reduce its effect on your daily life.
Living with uncertainty is never easy. It is important to remind yourself that fear and anxiety are normal parts of survivorship. Worrying about cancer coming back is usually most intense the first year after treatment. This worry usually gets better over time, and you should let your health care team know if it does not. Here are a few ideas to help you cope with the fear of recurrence:
Recognize your emotions. Many people try to hide or ignore “negative” feelings like fear and anxiety. Naming them will help you think about ways to cope with them. (…)