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Finishing your treatment may bring with it mixed emotions.
You're probably pleased and relieved that months of treatment are now over. You may be looking forward to going back to work, taking a holiday or having more energy to do things with your family and friends.
On the other hand, you may be worried that your cancer will return. You may fear you will never again be as carefree as you were before your illness.
Some patients have to learn to live with physical changes. You may have had a breast removed, for instance - or treatment may have left you with a stoma, or a change in your facial appearance. You may be happy that you cancer seems to have gone - but sad that you can't be exactly as you were before.
This part of our website includes further reading ideas for those who have finished their cancer treatment and are now ready to move forward with their lives.
If this applies to you, you may find these suggestions helpful…
Booklets and web links
After Treatment
The Royal Marsden Hospital produces an on-line booklet, 'After Treatment', that covers many topics including: side-effects; eating; sex; work and study; and emotional well-being.
Livestrong resource for cancer survivors
The Lance Armstrong foundation has created Livestrong to offer information and support to literally help people to 'live strong' through the physical, emotional and practical challenges of cancer survivorship.
Facing forward - a guide for cancer survivors
An on-line booklet that looks at some of the issues facing cancer survivors and gives practical advice for looking ahead. Part of the US's National Cancer Institute website.
Other parts of this web site
There are other parts of this website that may be useful to you.
For instance, our living with cancer section includes information and further reading ideas on such subjects as feelings and communication.
In our section on specific cancers you will find further reading suggestions on the after-effects of treatments - for example the bladder and bowel cancer sections have ideas for those who are living with stomas.
National and local support groups
For many cancer patients, support groups offer valuable friendship, advice and help - from diagnosis onwards.
Many of these groups can continue to help you even after your treatment has finished.
They may offer practical advice as you adjust to a new lifestyle, for instance… or emotional support from people who know how you are feeling.
Support may be offered in many ways… regular local meetings for instance, or telephone support, newsletters or perhaps even penfriend schemes. Many national organisations can offer free expert advice, leaflets and booklets on a range of cancer topics.
To find groups that may be of interest to you, try searching the database on this website.
