Home > Services > Living with and beyond cancer > Emotional and psychological wellbeing

On this page:

Being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment can affect how you feel emotionally as well as physically. It is common to experience a range of feelings, including anxiety, low mood, loneliness or changes in how you see yourself and your relationships. These feelings can come and go, and may change over time.

If someone is already experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing, receiving a diagnosis of cancer or undergoing cancer treatment could also make these worse.

This section brings together information and support to help you understand and manage these challenges. You will find guidance on common experiences such as anxiety, mood changes, body image, and intimacy, as well as information about accessing mental health services and additional support.

This short film explains some of the challenges people may experience and advice on what may help. It is part of the SACT Prehabilitation film series:

The following pages may be of use to you:

Thinking about your emotional wellbeing alongside your physical wellbeing during cancer is very important. There are things you can do for yourself, or with the help of those around you including cancer charities or professionals.

Top tips that can help

These tips can be helpful if you are struggling emotionally:

> Remember that it is normal to experience a range of emotions at diagnosis, during treatment or after treatment has finished. It takes time to adjust to change, and it is natural to have an emotional reaction to this

>Make room for your emotions. We do not always have to remain positive, and allowing oneself the space and time to feel can sometimes help

> Communicate with others about what you are struggling with (e.g., your family, friends, loved ones, cancer support groups, cancer care team). This can be particularly important if you are struggling with changes to your sex or intimate life with your partner. Please follow this link for more information about Sex and Intimacy.

>Tap into existing coping strategies for things that have helped when you have struggled in the past

>Make room for uncertainty. Cancer is full of uncertainty, sometimes there is not an answer to your question. It can be helpful to try to focus on what you can control, and for things you cannot to try to let it pass and re-focus on the present moment by grounding yourself in your breathing or what you see around you.

>Engaging in relaxation, mindfulness and breathing exercises can help with feelings of anxiety and stress. For information on mindfulness: Mindfulness – NHS. For relaxation and breathing exercises: Relaxation and breathing exercises | Maggie’s

>Think about what you value (what is important to you) and how you can live life accordingly. You may need to make some adjustments due to your physical health to help with this (e.g., if you enjoy running but cannot, are you able to go for a walk or do another form of exercise)

>Try to face your fears but do so slowly (e.g., if you are worried about urine leaking and so are not going out, can you try going somewhere locally and build on this over time). Often what we imagine will happen is worse than what happens when we try something.

>If you are spiritual or religious, you may find it helpful to draw on this to help with managing your emotions

 

Thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life

For some people when they are facing a difficult time, they can have thoughts of harming themselves or ending their life. If you ever experience this, please seek immediate support via the Samaritans (116 123) for someone to talk with, ask for an emergency GP appointment, call 111 who can connect you with your local 24-hour mental health crisis team, or visit A&E.  You are not alone.

 

Pelvic and abdominal cancer related concerns

When a person has cancer that affects their pelvic or abdominal area, they can experience specific difficulties which impact on their emotional wellbeing. Follow this link for more information on some of the problems people may experience and tips that may help, in addition to the general tips above.

This short film focuses on the psychological impact of pelvic and abdominal related cancer concerns:

 

Further information

This page contains a few thoughts and ideas on psychological wellbeing. For further information you can go to:

Macmillan: How cancer may affect you emotionally | Macmillan Cancer Support

Maggies: Managing emotions | Maggie’s

Every Mind Matters NHS: Mental health and physical illness – Every Mind Matters – NHS

NHS mental wellbeing audio guides: Mental wellbeing audio guides – NHS

 

Who can help: 

Trying the tips on this page can be an excellent starting point and may help you live with the emotional impact of cancer. Some people may need more support, and there are different options available. Remember you are not alone.

 

Peer support: 

Peer support can often be helpful, especially when people feel alone in their experience. There are a range of support groups available, you can speak to your cancer team about this for advice or look online:

Support groups  – St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cancer self-help and support groups | Macmillan Cancer Support

 

Psychological therapy:

Psychological therapy can be useful, and usually involves meeting with someone one to one or in a group. Therapists may use a variety of techniques to support you including (but not limited to) ideas from cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and compassion focused therapy.

You can ask your cancer team for a referral to the Macmillan Cancer Psychological Support Team (CaPS) at St George’s Hospital if you are a patient under their care and having treatment, or are within 2 years of active treatment. Alternatively, you can speak to your GP about psychological therapy available, including your local Talking Therapies service.

You can find information about the CaPS team at: Macmillan Cancer Psychological Support (CaPS) Team – St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

You can find your local talking therapies service at: Find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression – NHS

 

Support from cancer charities:

Maggie’s Centres offer a range of psychological support including support groups, drop-in services, workshops and courses, and one to one psychological therapy: Our centres | Maggie’s. You can either drop in, email or call them.

Macmillan offer a free support line on 0808 808 00 00, or you can email them for support: Emotional, financial and physical help for people with cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support

 

Community Mental Health Teams:

If you are already receiving support for your mental health, tell your team or therapist about your cancer diagnosis and how this is impacting you. For more information see our webpage on this

 

GP

You can speak to your GP about your mental wellbeing. They may be able to support you in thinking about onward referrals or medication.