For most people, the cancer experience doesn’t end on the last day of treatment. Life after cancer treatment can present its own challenges. You may have mixed feelings when treatment ends, and worry that every ache and pain means the cancer is coming back.
Some people say that they feel pressure to return to “normal life”. It is important to allow yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional changes, and establish a new daily routine at your own pace. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust.
Cancer Council 13 11 20 can help you connect with other people who have had thyroid cancer, and provide you with information about the emotional and practical aspects of living well after cancer.
Learn more about living well after cancer.
Learn more about:
- Follow-up appointments
- Anxiety about follow-up appointments
- Dealing with feelings of sadness
- Looking after yourself
- If thyroid cancer returns
Follow up appointments
After your treatment ends, you will have regular appointments to monitor your health, manage any long-term side effects and check the cancer hasn’t come back or spread. During these check-ups, you may have a physical examination, blood tests, an ultrasound or other scans. You will also be able to discuss how you’re feeling and mention any concerns you may have.
Anxiety about follow-up appointments
When a follow-up appointment or test is approaching, many people find that they think more about the cancer and may feel anxious.
Talk to your treatment team or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 if you are finding it hard to manage this anxiety.
Check-ups will become less frequent if you have no further problems. Between follow-up appointments, let your doctor know immediately of any symptoms or health problems.
Dealing with feelings of sadness
If you have continued feelings of sadness, have trouble getting up in the morning or have lost motivation to do things that previously gave you pleasure, you may be experiencing depression. This is quite common among people who have had cancer.
Talk to your GP, as counselling or medication – even for a short time – may help. Some people can get a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist. Cancer Council may also run a counselling program in your area.
For information about coping with depression and anxiety, call beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Looking after yourself
Cancer can cause physical and emotional strain, so it’s important to look after your wellbeing. Cancer Council has free booklets and programs to help you during and after treatment.
Call 13 11 20 to find out more, or see Managing cancer side effects, Exercise after a cancer diagnosis, Complementary therapies, Emotions and cancer, Nutrition and cancer, Sexuality, intimacy and cancer, Fertility and cancer, LGBTQI+ people and cancer and Living well after cancer.
Alternative therapies are therapies used instead of conventional medical treatments. These are unlikely to be scientifically tested, may prevent successful treatment of the cancer and can be harmful. Cancer Council does not recommend the use of alternative therapies as a cancer treatment.
If thyroid cancer returns
For most people, thyroid cancer does not come back (recur) after the initial treatment. However, some people do have a recurrence. This is why it’s important to have regular check-ups.
If thyroid cancer comes back, your doctor will discuss the best treatment options with you.
Read personal stories from people affected by thyroid cancer
Watch this video to see why eating well is so important after a cancer diagnosis, and what you can do to maintain a healthy diet.
Research shows that exercise benefits people with cancer during and after treatment. Find out more in this video or see our other exercise videos.
More resources
A/Prof Diana Learoyd, Endocrinologist, GenesisCare North Shore, St Leonards and University of Sydney, NSW; Sally Brooks, Senior Pharmacist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Monica Kwaczynski, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Susan Leonard, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Thyroid Cancer, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Juliette O’Brien OAM, Consumer; Jonathan Park, Consumer; A/Prof Robert Parkyn, Breast and Endocrine Surgeon, St Andrew’s Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, SA; A/Prof David Pattison, Director, Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD.
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