Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be life-changing for both you and your loved ones. However, it’s not only a matter of physical illness—cancer can also induce mental health issues, such as anxiety. Whether you’re processing the news or helping a family member prepare for the stress of cancer treatment, you can gain insight from the following guide.

How Diagnosis & Treatments Can Induce Anxiety

While even hearing that your doctor or specialist suspects cancer can be disheartening, receiving an official diagnosis brings a wave of anxiety over nearly all patients. For one, there’s the fear of the unknown that lies ahead—what will the treatments consist of? What pain will be endured? What is the prognosis?

There’s also stress caused by the financial aspects of health care, from treatment expenses to lost wages. When you’re in treatment, you may experience anxiety when waiting for progress results. You may even be fearful of the disease returning once you’re in remission.

All this stress will manifest not only in countless “what ifs” and sleepless nights but also muscle tension, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and other physical ailments. You might even notice behavioral changes, such as irritability, trouble concentrating, and increased use of alcohol.

How You Can Manage It

If you’re hoping to prevent your body from having to deal with these symptoms on top of the treatment, you’ll need to focus on minimizing stress. At first, the best option may be to get your symptoms under control by taking medication prescribed by a psychiatrist.

For long-term wellness, many cancer patients focus on mindfulness practices, such as meditation and yoga, or sessions with a counselor who can help talk through worries and difficulties. Other anxiety-reducing tips include mild exercise, such as walking or swimming, as well as massage therapy. Find a group of cancer treatment patients and survivors who meet regularly—with their valuable perspectives, you’ll realize you’re not alone in your fight.

If you’re looking for a cancer treatment center in the Anchorage area, turn to Alaska Oncology and Hematology, LLC. This medical oncology team is proud to offer compassionate, personalized attention to every patient, so you can get your questions answered and feel more confident about the future. Whether recommendations involve chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or surgical solutions, they offer a range of cutting-edge treatment options. Learn more about this caring team by visiting the website. To schedule an appointment, call (907) 279-3155 today.