Coping with Cancer:
You are not alone!

A cancer diagnosis changes everything, emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Feeling fear, anger, or disbelief is normal as you begin to process the news. But you don’t have to face this journey alone. With the support of loved ones, trusted healthcare professionals, and a caring community beside you, strength can be found in every step. Together, we’ll walk this path, one day at a time.

How can I cope with my feelings during Treament?

Talk to your doctor or nurse about things that worry or upset you. You may want to ask about meeting with a counsellor. Your doctor may also suggest that you take medication if you find it very hard to cope with your emotions.

Meditation techniques can help you feel more relaxed during your treatment.

  • Assign quiet time
  • Think of yourself in your favourite place
  • Breathe slowly
  • Listen to soothing music

Many people find that light exercise helps them feel better.

There are many ways for you to exercise, such as walking, riding a bike or doing yoga. 

Talk with your doctor or nurse about ways you can exercise.

Sharing how you feel can bring relief and connection.

Speak to someone you trust: a close friend, family member, chaplain, nurse, or social worker.

You might also find comfort in talking with other patients going through chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

You’re not alone in this.

Joining a support group gives you the space to share your feelings and connect with others who understand what you’re going through.

Whether in person or online, these groups offer guidance, comfort, and practical tips for coping with cancer and its treatment.

Speak to your doctor, nurse, or social worker to find a group near you.

Helpful Tips & Practical Advice

Talk to your doctor or nurse about things that worry or upset you. You may want to ask about meeting with a counsellor. Your doctor may also suggest that you take medication if you find it very hard to cope with your emotions.
1: Recognising the realities
  • Take as much time as you need to process the news. Take it slowly.
  • When you feel ready, tell your family and friends.
  • Pay attention to how you are feeling. Identify your emotions and acknowledge what kind of effect they have on you.
  • Prepare to engage with the medical world. Ask questions and discuss your diagnosis with your doctor at length.
  • Get professionals to help you.
  • Tend to your spirit. Seek counselling to help you navigate the complex emotions you may be feeling.
  • Work towards acceptance. Life is never the same after cancer, and working towards accepting this is an active process.

Become an active member of the treatment team, engaging from the start with your oncologist about treatment decisions and the management of your cancer.

Dr. Harold Benjamin, founder of The Wellness Community in the United States says, “people with cancer who participate in their fight against cancer will improve the quality of their life and may enhance the possibility of their recovery”.

So how do you partake in your cancer care and treatment?

  • Be well informed: Gain information from your doctor about your diagnosis, treatment plan and the side effects of the drugs.
  • Keep track of all your medical care and emotional experiences in a file or journal so that you have all your information together and can see your progress.
  • Develop a specific plan to deal with the physical and emotional side effects that you might experience. Write it down.
  • Remember, your experience is unique and your body will react to your treatment differently than others. The side effects described on this site are general, and your experience could be different.
  • Create a strong support system. Express your needs.
  • Spend time doing things you love. Plan some fun-filled events.
  • Surround yourself with the people you choose to be part of your team.
  • Negativity has no place in this fight. Do not listen to negative cancer stories and avoid people who are negative, or make you feel negative.

Your cancer treatment is one part of your strategy to deal with your cancer. Developing a holistic action plan to help you manage your experience is crucial. Spend some time writing it down. Set small, achievable goals in all areas of your life. Some things to consider may be:

Conserving your energy by:

  • Asking others to help you and delegating tasks
  • Taking short naps
  • Planning activities with realistic goals
  • Walking daily or developing an exercise routine
  • Limiting caffeine, especially in the evening
  • Drinking water: At least 4 to 5 glasses per day
  • Eating a well-balanced diet 

Managing hair loss:

  • Consult your hair-stylist or visit a wig shop
  • Consider a short haircut before hair loss begins
  • Get hats, scarves or turbans. Be creative!
  • Protect yourself from exposure to the sun and cold

Address pain immediately:

  • Pain affects quality of life and dampens hope, it can also impact relationships
  • Remember, pain does not mean advanced disease
  • Addiction to pain medication is rare in people with cancer
  • Speak to your doctor about any pain you may experience

Dietary needs:

  • Good nutrition can assist your body during treatment, so it is important to take control of your nutritional needs.
  • Consult a dietician and get sound advice. Do not buy expensive supplements. You need to create a sustainable diet. Decide what you are comfortable including in your diet, making sure it is nutritious.
  • You may need to adjust your portion sizes depending on your appetite, but it is vital to ensure you are nurturing your body throughout treatment.
  • Increase your fluid (water) intake during treatment. Water enables your body to discard damaged cells and assists in the rebuilding of healthy cells.

Other aspects of cancer management could include:

  • An exercise plan
  • A spiritual plan
  • A plan for dealing with your emotions creatively
  • A plan for regular fun family activities
  • A plan to achieve your personal goals

Taking a proactive approach to your treatment empowers you, and moves you away from being a victim towards becoming a survivor.

Here are some questions you may want to ask your oncologist:

  • Where is my malignant tumour and what kind of cancer do/did I have?
  • Has it spread? If so, where?
  • How aggressively is my cancer growing?
  • What symptoms will my cancer cause?
  • Is there any room for doubt regarding the test results and diagnosis?
  • If I seek a second opinion, can I take copies of my test results and x-rays?
  • Are any other tests required? If so, what would they be diagnosing? Will further tests hurt?
  • What symptoms are likely to occur if my cancer progresses?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What treatment do you recommend and why?
  • How often is the treatment necessary?
  • What are the benefits versus the risks of the treatment?
  • Is the treatment aimed at a cure, remission (control) or response?
  • What are the likely side effects of treatment?
  • How can these be minimised?
  • How much will the treatment cost?
  • What should I do/not do while having treatment?
  • How long will it be before I know if the treatment is working?
  • How severe will the pain be and how can I manage my pain?
  • What are the long-term side-effects of treatment/medication?
  • Is there a possibility of my cancer metastasizing or getting a second cancer?
  • Who will be in charge of my treatment?
  • What can I read on this topic? Are they any resources you can recommend?
  • Ask questions about medical terminology and its meaning.
  • Write down your questions before you see your doctor. Go to your consultation prepared.

Consider bringing a friend or family member to your appointments. They’re welcome to join the conversation and can help you better understand your treatment, while also learning how to support you along the way.

Your Emotional Wellbeing Matters
Cancer affects more than just your body, it can deeply impact your emotions. Uncertainty, physical changes, and treatment-related stress may bring waves of fear, sadness, or overwhelm. Over time, you’ll begin to notice when your emotional well-being needs extra care, and recognising the signs is the first step.

Caring for your emotional health:
Talk to a therapist: They can help you create a plan to manage how you’re feeling.

  • Stay connected: Open up to someone you trust.
  • Reach out: Don’t isolate yourself; let loved ones in.
  • Allow space for emotion: It’s okay to cry, and it’s just as important to laugh and find joy where you can.


You are not alone, and your emotional health is just as important as your physical treatment.

Watch for these signs of emotional strain:

  • Persistent hopelessness
  • Trouble sleeping (too much or too little) for over two weeks
  • Unexplained weight changes
  • Racing thoughts
  • Withdrawing from others
  • Sensitivity to criticism
  • Increased irritability
  • Feeling numb or disconnected
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Frequent worrying
  • Thoughts that life won’t improve
  • Feeling like you wouldn’t be missed

These may be signs of emotional distress, which is common but often overlooked. It can show up as anxiety, depression, mood swings, fear, or a sense of isolation, and it deserves attention.

  • You are not alone in your diagnosis; it also affects your family and loved ones. It is important to talk about your feelings, roles, needs and expectations during this period.
  • Remember that the important issues will differ from family to family. Depending on your life stage, family and whether you have children, you will have to approach your cancer differently.
  • Families with young children will have issues and needs that a family with adolescents or a retired couple may not have.
  • It is important to note that existing marital or parenting problems may be aggravated by the added pressure of your illness.
  • Consider contacting an oncology social worker if you experience problems – it is important to alleviate the emotional pressure on you as you deal with your diagnosis.

Cancer affects both partners, and navigating it as a couple requires honesty, empathy, and connection.

Here are some gentle reminders:

  • Share openly and honestly, even the difficult emotions. Don’t try to protect each other from the truth.
  • Remember: you can’t fix it. The supporting partner’s role is to listen, care, and be present.
  • Keep communicating, even when it’s hard. Silence can create distance.
  • It’s okay to cry together; vulnerability builds closeness.
  • Make space for alone time; both partners need room to process.
  • Reactions will differ. There’s no right or wrong way to feel.
  • Set clear expectations, and create short- and long-term goals together.

Sexuality and Cancer:
Cancer and its treatments can impact your hormones, energy, emotions, and body image, which may affect sexual intimacy. This is a common experience and nothing to be ashamed of. Open communication is essential. If you’re struggling, speak with your oncologist or social worker.

Support is available, and you’re not alone.

There is no way to guard your children against your cancer diagnosis. Including children in the management of your cancer will allow them to be guided towards accurate, healthy and hopeful interpretations of the disease, while helping them to develop adaptive coping skills.

What to tell young children:

  • Try to tell your children the news yourself. Children know when something serious if going on, even if nobody tells them.
  • Keep in mind the age and past experiences of each child – KEEP IT SIMPLE.
  • Tell each child enough to deal with his/her world and to satisfy his/her need for information.
  • Expect to review the same information over and over.
  • Use the word “cancer”.
  • Teach them that cancer is not contagious.
  • Prepare them for the expected changes in a life-enhancing way.
  • Help them to adjust to changes. Find a healthy balance between maintaining routines and making necessary expectations.
  • Empower your children to contribute to your comfort in a way that is appropriate for their age.
  • Continue to keep all teachers and coaches up to date regarding your condition and how you would like your children handled.
  • If you are unsure whether your children are coping, seek help from a professional.

Teenagers can be unpredictable. Recognise the variety of responses that teenagers may have.

  • They may be uncomfortable with some of their feelings and thoughts about your cancer.
  • Teenagers want detailed information regarding your diagnosis and treatment. They may seek further information on their own.
  • Teenagers need to know the truth and may feel particularly sensitive to information they feel is incomplete or inaccurate.
  • Teenagers need privacy. They may not want to talk about the experience, but ensure they know there are people available when they are ready to talk.
  • Encourage your teenager to find creative ways to process their feelings and energy, such as athletics, writing in a journal or partaking in other creative activities.
  • Teenagers who want to contribute to caregiving should be allowed to participate in tasks that respect the fact that they are not yet adults but no longer children.
  • Encourage your teenager if he or she wants to accompany you to treatment. This can help them feel more in control about how your medical care is provided.
  • Teenagers need consistency. Ensure that they still attend normal activities and social events.
  • Teenagers are often self-conscious. To help your teenagers understand that other people are going through similar experiences, you might suggest that they participate in a support group, peer-to-peer network or online chat room.
  • Acknowledge that the patient has cancer, do not ignore it in conversations.
  • Give them time to accept the diagnosis.
  • Talk about it. Share your feelings on how cancer is affecting you both.
  • Listen and acknowledge each other’s feelings.
  • Be sensitive to the patient’s feelings and thoughts.
  • Encourage the family to seek emotional help when needed.
  • Be natural. The person you see is the same person they were before they got cancer – do not treat them any differently.
  • Maintain regular contact with the patient and the family.
  • Share success stories about people beating cancer. Do not share cancer horror stories or other people’s bad experiences – THEY DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THEM.
  • Focus on encouragement and hope – no pity allowed.
  • Assistance is very helpful. You can help by offering things such as childcare, assisting with transport or cooking a meal.
  • Continue to celebrate important days.
  • Do not forget birthdays, anniversaries and other significant milestones such as the completion of chemotherapy.

After a cancer diagnosis, many patients treasure the time they have far more than before, and you are encouraged to make the most of it.

With our holistic approach to cancer treatment, we aim to make you as comfortable as possible no matter how your journey goes.

Resources and Links

Make an Appointment

Smoking and Cancer

Make an Appointment