What is cancer treatment-related anxiety?

Anxiety is a vague, uneasy feeling that often occurs for no clear reason. It can happen to anyone especially to people who have surgery, radiation treatment, or other forms of cancer treatment.

How do people describe cancer treatment-related anxiety?

People with cancer have described anxiety as an uneasiness, apprehension, dread, agitation, uncertainty or fear.

What happens when you experience cancer treatment-related anxiety?

Anxiety can affect the way you think as well as the way you feel. You may have trouble sleeping, paying attention when reading, watching television, or even talking with family members, Your ability to concentrate and focus on everyday tasks may be diminished.

What causes cancer treatment-related anxiety?

There are many "causes" of anxiety Pain, loss of control, and/or physical changes as a result of disease or its treatment may all increase your anxiety.

How do people cope with cancer treatment-related anxiety?

Everyone experiences anxiety differently. For example, if you experience anxiety, your anxiety may not last as long as someone else's does. Here are some tips that some people find helpful:

• Talk about your feelings with your spouse or a trusted friend.
• Practice journal writing or creative expression (art, music, dance, exercise, or wood working).
• Try to identify the thoughts or situations that cause anxiety.
• Increase activities that are pleasurable and give you relief.
• Be with other people as much as possible. (For some people, this may make anxiety worse.)
• Talk with people who have been in similar situations. Join a support group.
• Use relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing or muscle relaxation. Try visualizing a scene that has had a calming effect on you in the past.
• Write down things that you have done in the past to manage anxiety and use them in your, present situation.
• Practice strategies that interrupt anxious thoughts:
  For example:
  • looking up
  • lowering your shoulders
  • Slowing your thoughts
  • altering your voice (slow down speech or lower your voice)
  • imagining watching the situation from a distance
• Tell yourself "Stop" whenever you find yourself thinking anxious thoughts and replace them with more pleasant thoughts.

What can family or significant others do to help with cancer treatment-related anxiety?

Ask your family or friends to help you with situations that you've identified as taxing or difficult, like paying medical expenses or home maintenance tasks. Have a significant other talk you through relaxation exercises, breathing, and visual imaging.

How can I talk with my partner about my cancer treatment-related anxiety?

• Be open and honest with your partner.
• Fully and calmly discuss your anxiety as well as your thoughts, other feelings, and ideas.
• Ask for your partner's thoughts, feelings, and ideas. (Be careful to hear everything your partner says to you.)

What symptoms should you report to the nurse?

Call your doctor or nurse if you:

• Have a problem "catching" your breath.
• Have a problem sleeping.
• Have a problem concentrating on daily activities.
• Experience "Panic attacks".
• Experience no relief after trying the activities suggested above.
• Experience heart beating fast and hard.

Who can I call to get more information?

• Contact your health care providers or inquire about support groups in your area. A listing of mental health centers is available to you through your nurse specialist.
• Contact the National Cancer Institute at http://cancer.gov/cancerinformation.
• Contact the American Cancer Society at http://cancer.org.

  This information was conducted in affiliation with the Walther Cancer Institute, Indianapolis, IN