Life after treatment

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 head and neck cancer, and provide you with information about the emotional and practical aspects of living well after cancer.

For more on this, see Living well after cancer.

Learn more about:

• Dealing with feelings of sadness
• Follow-up appointments
• Looking after yourself
• If head and neck cancer returns

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 13 11 14.

Follow-up appointments

After treatment ends, you will have regular appointments with your specialists to monitor your health, manage any long-term side effects and check that the cancer hasn’t come back or spread. You may have blood tests and imaging scans, as well as physical and visual examinations of your head and neck. You will also be able to discuss how you’re feeling and any other concerns. You will receive continued support from a speech pathologist, dietitian, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist and social worker if you need it. You may also be asked to see your dentist regularly.

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. You will usually continue to have check-ups for five years, but they will become less frequent if you have no further problems. Between follow-up appointments, let your treatment team know immediately of any symptoms or health problems.

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 during cancer treatment, Complementary therapies, Emotions and cancer, Nutrition and cancer and Living well after cancer.

If head and neck cancer returns

For some people, head and neck cancer does come back after treatment, which is known as a recurrence. Sometimes this will be another cancer of the head and neck, but it can also be the original cancer that has spread to another part of the body. This is why it’s important to have check-ups.

If the cancer does come back or you develop a new cancer, it is important that you are reviewed by an experienced multidisciplinary team. The treatments you are offered will vary depending on your previous treatments. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy may all be options.