Taming the fear monster after beating the big C

Over the last two decades, advancements in cancer care have significantly increased the number of cancer survivors in our society.
Life After Cancer Treatment:
“Patients and their caregivers often get pulled into a bundle of new and unfamiliar things and sudden changes that affect their routine lives, leaving little room to pause and reflect. However, when patients return for follow-up visits after the completion of treatment, a common and unsettling question often arises: ‘What if the cancer comes back?’ or ‘What if the disease progresses?’
In my practice as a surgical oncologist, I have observed that although patients harbour these fears, they rarely discuss them with their families.This sense of confinement can become overwhelming. Studies indicate that about 60% of patients experience moderate to high levels of stress due to fear of cancer recurrence. Most of these studies are from Western countries, with limited research available in the Indian context,” Dr. Shabber Zaveri, Chairman HOD & Consultant - Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road says.
During the treatment phase, patients receive ample support from their medical team. They frequently come with doubts or difficulties, and we guide them on how to manage these issues. Completing treatment is a moment of joy, but for some patients, the slightest aches can trigger thoughts like, “What if my cancer comes back? I can’t trust my body; it has already let me down once.”
“Educating the patients with scientific evidence to address their concerns should be the primary step as medical professionals. After educating the patient, if they still feel uncertainty and fear, we must take the next step. Given the stigma surrounding mental health in our society, patients and survivors often hesitate to seek help. Identifying these concerns and referring patients to a psycho-oncologist is crucial. The oncologist plays a pivotal role in educating patients about the importance of seeing a psycho-oncologist,” Dr. Zaveri adds.
By addressing these fears and providing appropriate referrals, we can help survivors navigate their post-treatment lives with greater confidence and peace of mind. Psycho-oncology plays a vital role in this process, offering the necessary support to manage the emotional and psychological challenges that come with surviving cancer.
Fear of Cancer Recurrence:
Fear of cancer recurrence is a normal response for many patients after completing their treatment. However, sometimes these worries can become overwhelming, affecting sleep, appetite, and overall quality of life. Why does this happen? The answer is simple: worry is a natural, instinctive human response to a perceived threat.

Supporting Survivors: Beyond Medical Treatment:
Surprisingly, many of these issues go unspoken in our country. But now, a patient has gotten through cancer. Their treatment is done, and they are putting their life back again. We are all trying to help them pick up the pieces of their life. Though they are out of cancer, sometimes they might not feel like their old self. However, life after cancer treatment will become a different kind of ‘Normal’, and they will need to adjust and learn to accept a new way of taking their lives forward. Any cancer survivor would agree that things are not the same, and so has the definition of ‘Normal’. It is like graduating from their university and starting a new work-life, it cannot be the same.
Ms. Bincy Mathew, Consultant – Psycho Oncology, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road says, “Sometimes, it’s okay to feel sad and worried. It will take time to recover. It’s very common to think about whether cancer will come back and what happens now, especially on days like the anniversary of your diagnosis, the day before a scan, or when you visit the hospital. However, these worries only become a problem when they start to interfere with your life.”
This calls attention to the fact that, when someone experiences these issues, it would be a good idea to to discuss them with their physician or seek help from a professional psycho-oncologist. Because addressing these concerns on time can significantly improve your quality of life and help you significantly improve your quality of life ahead.
“There are many techniques, but one way to overcome these continuous worries is by practising a technique called detached mindfulness. It is an anti-thought control strategy where you observe your thoughts like watching a movie inside your mind without participating in them. You might find it difficult to practice, but it is always better to seek help from trained professionals.” Ms. Mathew concluded.