Life after treatment for lung cancer

Life after a diagnosis of lung cancer can present many challenges. It is important to allow yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional changes. Establish a daily routine that suits you and the symptoms you’re coping with. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust.

For some people, the cancer goes away with treatment. Other people will have ongoing treatment to manage symptoms. You are likely to feel a range of emotions about having lung cancer. Talk to your treatment team if you are finding it hard to manage your emotions. Cancer Council 13 11 20 can also provide you with some strategies for coping with the emotional and practical aspects of living with lung cancer.

For more on this, see Living with advanced cancer or Living well after cancer.

Learn more about:

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

Follow-up appointments

Whether treatment ends or is ongoing, you will have regular appointments to manage any long-term side effects and check that the cancer hasn’t come back or spread. During these check-ups, you will usually have a physical examination and you may have chest x-rays, CT scans and blood tests. You will also be able to discuss how you’re feeling and mention any concerns you may have.

Check-ups after treatment usually happen every 3–6 months for the first couple of years and every 6–12 months for the following 3 years. When a follow-up appointment or test is approaching, many people feel anxious. Talk to your treatment team or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 if you are finding it hard to manage this anxiety.

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, because 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 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline 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, and Living well after cancer.

If lung cancer returns

For some people, lung cancer does come back after treatment, which is known as a recurrence. Lung cancer is more likely to recur in the first 5 years after diagnosis. If the cancer returns, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you. These will depend on the type of lung cancer, where the cancer has recurred, and the stage and grade.

Whichever treatment you are given or choose to have, support from palliative care specialists and nurses can help you manage symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to get this support.

For more on this, see our general section on Palliative care or listen to our podcast series The Thing About Advanced Cancer.

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