Worried, Scared or Anxious

Anxiety can affect your quality of life. It can make it harder to take in information or make treatment decisions. It can worsen your pain, or simply make life feel overwhelming.

Common worries and fears (feeling anxious)

Typical worries and feasrs can:

  • Affect your sleep and appetite 
  • Makie it harder to concentrate 
  • Cause you to pull back from social activities for a short time
  • Disrupt your usual routines  
  • Increase irritability or impatience  
  • Relate to a specific concern or situation
  • Get stronger or weaker depending on the situation 

They do not stop you from:

  • Looking forward to the future 
  • Making important decisions
The important thing to remember is that typical worries and fears are short-term and usually pass with time.

When anxiety or phobias become a problem

If anxiety starts to interfere with your quality of life – by ruining your sleep, preventing you from understanding information or making treatment decisions, increasing your pain, or making daily life feel unmanageable – you may be dealing with an anxiety disorder or ongoing anxiety.

You may be more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety if you:

  • Have had an anxiety disorder in the past
  • Have a history of physical or emotional trauma
  • Live with severe pain
  • Have a type of cancer or receive treatment that can cause anxiety symptoms
  • Have limited emotional or social support
Anxiety can develop for many reasons. Click the "+" signs below to learn more.


 

Feelings of anxiety can rise and fall. You may feel more anxious if cancer spreads or if treatment becomes more intense. Anxiety levels can also vary from person to person. It's important to regularly check in with yourself – and others – about how you are feeling throughout your cancer experience.

 

 
Some cancers can cause physical symptoms that increase anxiety. Many cancer treatments and medications can also worsen anxious feelings.

Many people with cancer worry about things such as unmanaged pain, being alone or needing to depend on others. With the right support, many of these conerns can be addressed.

Even after treatment ends, anxiety can continue. For example, you may feel anxious when returning to work, answering questions about your cancer, or dealing with insurance and financial issues.

 

Fears of specific things – such as needles or enclosed spaces – can interfere with your treatment plan. Tell your health care team about any phobias or past anxiety issues so they can help support you can adjust your care if needed.