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Coping With Bone Metastasis? Try These Healthy Tips
Bone is a common place for cancer to spread. If you or a loved one is living with cancer that has spread to the bone, read on for tips to improve your quality of life.
Bone metastasis happens when cancer spreads to the bone from another part of the body where it started. It is different than primary bone cancer, which starts in the bone. Bone metastasis (sometimes called bone mets or secondary bone cancer) is not bone cancer. It is still the same cancer you started with. This might be breast cancer, prostate cancer, or another cancer.
Find Hope With Treatment
Bone metastasis is one of the most common types of metastases. It is also very treatable. Many people can live for years after learning they have bone metastasis. Treatment depends on each patient. So, your healthcare team will consider factors that are unique to you. These include your symptoms, where your bone cancer is located, and other cancer treatments you are receiving or have received.
Discover Treatment Options for Bone Metastases
When you discuss treatment options with your healthcare team, let them know about any symptoms you are experiencing. This might include bone or joint pain. Treatment can help lessen pain. Other ways to manage bone pain include working with a palliative care specialist, taking pain medication, or using radiation to treat pain at specific sites. Your healthcare team can help you create a management plan.
Did You Know?
Some drugs can help slow bone metastases, strengthen bone, and reduce pain. Get more details about bone-building drugs.
Boost Your Bone Strength
Your bones and joints need extra attention and care when managing bone metastasis. Common areas for cancer to spread are the hip bone, ribs, skull, spine, upper leg bone, and upper arm bone. Cancer can weaken these bones by keeping important cells from working the way they should. Weakened bones are more prone to breaking.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of fractures, including keeping your bones as strong as possible. Here are some ways to get started:
Get moving to strengthen your bones.
Exercising can help you maintain bone density, improve your balance, and boost your mood. Walking, swimming, tai chi, or yoga are gentle ways to get moving and lift your spirits. Resistance exercises can be good for building muscle strength, but there may be limits on how much weight you should lift. Since some exercises can put stress on the body, ask your healthcare team about safe forms of exercise based on your unique needs.
Nourish your bones.
A well-balanced diet can help you feel better overall and support bone health. Look for foods that are rich in vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, and calcium helps build strong bones. Excellent sources of calcium include yogurt, canned salmon, and dark, leafy greens like kale and broccoli. Always talk with your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes. They can also tell you:
- If calcium and vitamin D supplements may be right for you
- Whether you should follow any dietary restrictions
- How you can support your bone health in other ways
Canned salmon is high in calcium, but fresh salmon is a good source, too. Try this Herbed Lemon Salmon recipe, perfect when experiencing dry mouth from radiation treatment.
Safeguard your home.
Since the risk of fractures increases with bone cancer metastasis, look for ways you can reduce your chances of falling. Check your home for potential tripping or slipping hazards and correct them. Are there any loose area rugs? Stairs without carpet or treads? Try these 8 simple tips to prevent falls.
Did You Know?
Smoking speeds up bone loss, and excessive alcohol consumption can affect the cells that build new bone. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol to help keep your bones as strong as possible.
Connect With Others
No one should have to manage a cancer diagnosis alone. Find hope and inspiration on MyLifeLine, our free digital support community for people impacted by cancer. MyLifeLine exists to easily connect patients and caregivers with their family members, friends, and others in their support community.
Create a personal network site to share updates with your loved ones and organize a helping network for things like rides to medical appointments, help with meals, childcare, and more. You can also join our discussion forums on a variety of topics, from nutrition & wellness to managing side effects. The forums are a safe space to exchange stories, coping strategies, and inspiration with other members going through similar experiences.
Build a Helping Network Among Your Friends and Family
Research shows outcomes for cancer patients improve when they have a strong support community. Building a helping network can help you focus on what’s most important — healing.
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Sometimes, the toughest part is knowing where to start as you begin navigating this challenging journey. If you aren’t sure where to start, one helpful resource is MyLifeLine, CSC’s free digital support community for people impacted by cancer.
MyLifeLine exists to easily connect patients and caregivers with their family members, friends, and others in their support community. MyLifeLine allows you to create your own personal network site. Here, you can document your journey, share updates, and receive social, emotional, and practical support along the way.
When you create a personal network site, you also gain access to a tool called the Helping Calendar. The Helping Calendar enables patients and care coordinators to create events for all sorts of things: doctor’s appointments, rides to treatment, meals, childcare, pet care and more. This is an exclusive space for cancer patients and their care coordinators to organize volunteers to help with specific events, easing the burden of cancer so that patients can focus on treatments and healing.
Did You Know?
Having a strong support system is good for our social well-being. It can boost our emotional, mental, and physical wellness, too.
As difficult as it may be to ask for help, there are members of your community who want to be useful to you. The Helping Calendar notifies your supporters when events are added to your calendar. This way, your support network knows exactly how they can help, and you never have to pick up the phone. To volunteer for a specific event, they can simply visit your calendar to sign up. For extra help, you can even designate a friend or family member to manage your Helping Calendar for you.
The Helping Calendar also allows your friends and family members across the country to know when your (or your loved one’s) treatment appointments are. One MyLifeLine family said they love the Helping Calendar because “it’s a great way to disseminate information to a lot of people who are interested.”
Exclusively for MyLifeLine Members
Family and friends may not always have the answers you seek. MyLifeLine’s discussion forums are a safe space to exchange stories, coping strategies, and inspiration with other members going through similar experiences.
CSC and MyLifeLine firmly believe that community is stronger than cancer. At some point during your cancer journey, you’re going to need help. Luckily, your community has your back. Give them the opportunity to contribute.
Whether you’re a cancer patient or a caregiver, you’re not in this alone. Your cancer experience is unique, so your support should be too.
“Support is so vital and one component, out of many, that helps me cope.” – Nancy, MyLifeLine Member
Why Immunotherapy Might Be Your Cancer-fighting Superhero
Imagine giving your immune system a superhero suit that’s tailored to fight your cancer. Immunotherapy teams up with your immune system to do just that.
“I think it’s the cat’s meow – it’s the best there is. Immunotherapy came along at just the right time.” – Karl, diagnosed with bladder cancer
“You have cancer” are words that no one wants to hear, but unfortunately, it’s a reality that many people face in their lifetime. The good news is there are more treatment options available to us now than ever before. Treatment for cancer can vary from surgery to chemotherapy and more. But have you heard of immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body’s own defense system to fight cancer cells. The immune system is an incredible network of cells and tissues that are constantly on guard, protecting us from all sorts of diseases and infections. But sometimes, cancer cells can slip through the cracks and multiply, causing tumors and damaging our bodies.
That’s where immunotherapy comes in. It’s like giving your immune system a superhero suit to fight cancer cells. It may sound like science fiction, but immunotherapy is a real cancer treatment that’s gaining popularity and proving highly effective in treating some cancers. These include:
- Leukemia and lymphoma
- Melanoma
- Muscle-invasive bladder cancer
- Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
- Metastatic breast cancerBreast Canc
Watch this 2-minute video to understand immunotherapy basics: what it is, how it works, and if it might be an option for you.
There are many types of immunotherapies, but the most common are checkpoint inhibitors.
Checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that assist T cells in fighting cancer. T cells are special white blood cells that recognize and attack cells that are harming your body, like cancer. Think of your T cells like little detectives, scanning the body for abnormal cells and eliminating them before they become a threat. Sometimes, cancer cells are sneaky and disguise themselves, making it harder for T cells to detect them.
Checkpoint inhibitors basically remove the disguise. This allows T cells to see cancer cells. Then, the T cells attack them and prevent them from spreading.
Learn About 5 Major Types of Immunotherapy
For most patients, immunotherapy is generally well tolerated, with fewer side effects than chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Of course, every person’s experience is different, but in general, immunotherapy is less harsh on the body and can lead to better outcomes.
Immunotherapy can also be combined with other treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy to create a synergistic effect. This means that multiple treatments working together can be more effective than any one treatment alone. It’s like two superheroes teaming up to defeat a villain.
One of the exciting things about immunotherapy is that it’s still a relatively new treatment. Researchers are continually discovering new ways to use it. For example, some studies have shown that immunotherapy can be used to treat certain types of cancer that were previously considered untreatable.
Worried About Treatment Costs?
New cancer treatments like immunotherapy can be expensive. Talk to your healthcare team about the cost of treatment options you are considering. Also ask if clinical trials are an option. If you have questions or concerns, call our Helpline at 888-793-9355. We offer free, personalized navigation for anyone impacted by cancer.
Of course, like any other cancer treatment, immunotherapy is not magic. It doesn’t work for everyone. It’s not a cure for all types of cancer. But it offers a promising new approach to cancer treatment — one that harnesses the power of the immune system in a way that was previously considered impossible.
So, what can you do if you or someone you know is facing cancer? As a first step, talk to your healthcare team. They can help you determine if immunotherapy is right for you. You can also do your own research but be sure to use reputable sources and consult with medical professionals about the information you gather.
It can be challenging to navigate cancer, but with the right treatment and support, many people live active, healthy lives after a diagnosis. So don’t give up hope, and don’t be afraid to explore new options like immunotherapy.
Peer Support for Black Cancer Patients Opens Doors to Clinical Trials Diversity
Stock photo posed by models: Getty Images
Black and African American cancer patients represent only 5% of clinical trial participants. Our peer support program is working to change that by increasing clinical trial awareness & knowledge among Black and African American cancer patients like Cae.
“I was able to get the voice back that I feel like I lost throughout my whole deal with cancer.”
— Cae, Peer Clinical Trials Support Program participant
Existing barriers make it difficult for many underrepresented communities to participate in cancer clinical trials. Improving clinical trials diversity is extremely important. Everyone should have the chance to benefit equally from new, possibly life-saving treatments.
We know that knowledge, awareness, and trusted peer support can increase clinical trial participation. Our Peer Clinical Trials Support Program helps Black and African American cancer patients learn more about clinical trials through one-on-one support from an experienced Peer Specialist ― a Black or African American cancer patient or survivor who has participated in a cancer clinical trial.
In the following Q&A, we talk with Cae, a cancer patient who participated in our Peer Clinical Trials Support Program. Cae shares a few things she learned from her Peer Specialist and why she ultimately decided to join a cancer clinical trial:
1. Could you briefly describe your cancer diagnosis?
I was originally diagnosed with CLL [chronic lymphocytic leukemia] in March of 2021. I got diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2021. So, the leukemia metastasized and affected my left breast. I haven’t had any surgery yet, but I am actively still doing chemotherapy.
My diagnosis was a surprise with the breast cancer because I didn’t have any symptoms or anything. The only thing I had were lumps, and I thought the lumps were caused by the chemotherapy I was doing because of the leukemia.
When I finally brought it to my doctor’s attention, he had me get tests done. I can’t tell you how many tests I had done. And then finally he said yes, it’s breast cancer. It was just kind of shocking because, at the time, I was only 25, so it was very surprising for me.
2. After your diagnosis, did anyone talk with you about cancer clinical trials as an option? Or did you experience other barriers to learning about clinical trial opportunities?
My biggest barrier honestly — and this is the reason why my doctor never brought trials or anything to me — is because a lot of the trials were local in my area, [and] insurance doesn’t cover the trials.* So, there are trials that either the facility has to pay for you to do, or you have to pay the facility in order to participate. And I have horrible insurance. That was a barrier that I already had — just getting my basic needs taken care of.
So, my doctor never brought up the idea of trials because he didn’t want me to have the idea of financial hardship with having to deal with that, if there was a possibility that facility didn’t offer [to pay to get a treatment done] because it’s experimental.
*Editor’s Note: Insurance coverage for clinical trial participation varies based on an individual’s insurance company and policy. Clinical trials usually cover the cost of participation. Some individuals need to travel to the facility where the trial is held if it is not available where they live. Coverage for travel costs may vary by trial.
3. How did you find out about our Peer Clinical Trials Support Program?
I was just looking online for different support programs that could offer me any type of help or resources or information to help me. Because I got diagnosed late in my CLL, and also kind of late stages into my breast cancer, I already know there are only limited options available for me.
I was just really interested in finding out, “Okay, what else is there past just what my doctor can do, more than just what I know.”
And I just stumbled across [the Peer Clinical Trials Support Program] and sent an email and said, “Hey, I want more information if you guys can give me anything to help me.” And they called me, and honestly, it was one of the most relieving calls I got during this whole process and dealing with cancer.
4. In this program, Peer Specialists use their own experience as a Black or African American cancer patient and cancer clinical trial participant to support others who are interested in learning about cancer clinical trials. What were some questions you had about clinical trials? And what were some helpful things you learned from your Peer Specialist?
I didn’t originally have specific questions. But they were able to open the door for dialogue with me to where I could say, “Okay, well, I do have a question.”
And most of my questions were, “What are trials? What are things I should look for in trials that are good and trials that are bad? How do I know if this trial is a legit trial, and they’re not just trying to take my information or my blood samples?”
My Peer Specialist was able to explain to me what to look for and how I could look on a website where they have all the trials* and they’ll tell you which ones are open and who’s doing what, who’s the lead investigator.
I found that helpful because I could actually fact check and look into it: What are they doing? Who are they? [That] was helpful for me because one of my biggest worries with getting into a trial was being taken advantage of, or not knowing if I’m actually being a part of something that may help, or are these people just trying to use me as a guinea pig and they aren’t doing anything helpful.
*Editor’s Note: The National Cancer Institute and ClinicalTrials.gov are 2 well-known resources that provide information and details about clinical trials for all types of cancer. Most clinical trials are listed on both sites.
“I didn’t originally have specific questions. But they were able to open the door for dialogue with me to where I could say, ‘Okay, well, I do have a question.’”
— Cae, Peer Clinical Trials Support Program participant
5. After taking part in this program, you went on to join a cancer clinical trial. How did this program help support your decision-making process?
It made me more confident in my choice, that I was making a good choice. It made me feel like I have a right to voice my opinion. I’m still actively in trial now, [and] it gave me my voice where, if something’s going on, I actually talk to the people that are working with me and [say], “Hey, I’m having this symptom” or “I’m having this going on,” without feeling like I can’t say anything or I just have to accept how it is and deal with it.
With this support system, my Peer Specialist [said] if something is bothering you, let people know. I was able to get the voice back that I feel like I lost throughout my whole deal with cancer.
A big part of me lost my voice because I felt defeated, because so often doctors and people weren’t listening to me or didn’t take what I had to say seriously. And so, I felt like, okay, if they don’t, nobody’s not. So, with that, it built my confidence back a lot just to be able to interact and talk with the trial experts.
“It made me more confident in my choice, that I was making a good choice. It made me feel like I have a right to voice my opinion.”
— Cae, Peer Clinical Trials Support Program participant
6. Are there any words of support you would like to share with other Black or African American cancer patients who may be considering participating in a cancer clinical trial?
Don’t let your previous interactions with specialists or doctors discourage you from having a better experience. Every doctor and specialist is not the same, and you will find someone who will listen to you, because you are worthy of having someone hear your voice.
Discover More About Our Peer Clinical Trials Support Program
The #1 Thing You Can Do to Prevent Skin Cancer
Photo by Loren Biser for Unsplash
Here’s why skin protection matters. Plus: Skin cancer signs to look for, and what we can learn from a former U.S. president about the importance of early detection.
May is the first of many signs that summer is coming. Warmer weather, light breezes, and summer breaks are quickly approaching. May also marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month — and for good reason. According to an article in Consumer Reports, ultraviolet (UV) rays can be “summer strength” by the late spring in many parts of the United States.
Skin cancer can happen when skin cells are damaged by UV radiation from the sun’s rays. This causes skin cells to grow uncontrollably and form tumors.
Did You Know?
“On the electromagnetic spectrum, UV light has shorter wavelengths than visible light, so your eyes can’t see UV, but your skin can feel it.”
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, affecting more than 3.5 million people each year. Fortunately, most cases of skin cancer are easily treatable if found early. However, undetected and untreated skin cancer can lead to more serious complications, as former President Jimmy Carter experienced.
In 2015, Carter underwent surgery to remove a small lesion from his liver. The lesion was actually metastatic melanoma, an aggressive type of skin cancer that had spread (metastasized) to his liver and brain.
This news was a shock to many, as Carter had always been known for his active lifestyle and good health. In 1982, he and his wife Rosalynn established The Carter Center to fight global disease, not knowing he would one day battle a disease of his own.
Carter’s battle with cancer became public shortly after his diagnosis. He quickly became an advocate for early detection and treatment. Carter encouraged everyone to get regular checkups, wear sunscreen, and take care of their skin. Soon his story made headlines globally.
Skin cancer is divided into 2 main types: melanoma and non-melanoma.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, accounting for a majority of skin cancer-related deaths. It can develop anywhere on the body but is most common on the face, chest, and back. Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is split into:
NMSC is generally less dangerous but can still spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
Tips for Skin Cancer Prevention
One key thing you can do to help reduce your risk of developing skin cancer is to limit your exposure to sunlight. Protection from the sun’s UV radiation is important year-round.
Sun Safety Tip
“Check the UV index every day. The higher the UV index, the more you should do to protect yourself from the sun.”
When you are in the sunlight for extended periods of time, practice sun safety. Take simple steps like wearing protective clothing outdoors, staying in the shade during peak sun hours, and applying a high SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreen regularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using an SPF of 15 or higher. And don’t forget sunglasses to protect your eyes.
The Skin Cancer Foundation offers a comprehensive list of sun protection tips.
Eating healthy is another step you can take. Research suggests that antioxidant-rich foods, including colorful fruits and vegetables, may help boost people’s protection against skin cancer.
Sun Safety Fact
“UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow. In the continental United States, UV rays tend to be strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
Tips for Early Detection of Skin Cancer
The warning signs of skin cancer vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. Common symptoms include changes in the size, shape, and color of moles or other existing growths. The appearance of new growths or sores that do not heal, and itching or bleeding in a particular area can also be concerning.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention quickly for a skin examination, lab testing, and possible biopsy if necessary.
It is also important to be aware of risk factors for skin cancer. These include:
- a fairer skin tone
- a history of sunburns
- a family history of skin cancer
While people with fairer skin tone are at higher risk, anyone can get skin cancer regardless of their complexion.
Did You Know?
Signs of skin cancer can show up differently for people of color. This can make it harder to notice signs right away. Read more in our guide Skin Cancer Among People of Color, or Cáncer de Piel en Personas de Color.
If you have any risk factors for skin cancer, consider scheduling routine skin exams with a dermatologist. You can also do monthly head-to-toe self-checks at home. Check all the surfaces of your skin. Look closely at your moles to see if they are beginning to change in shape, size, or color.
Follow the ABCDEs of skin cancer as a guide:
- Asymmetry: The shape of one half of the mole does not match the other.
- Border: The edges are often tagged, blurred, or irregular in outline.
- Color: The color is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, grey, red, pink, or blue also may be present.
- Diameter: There is a change in size, usually an increase.
- Evolving: Changes in size, shape, color, or elevation, or any symptoms such as bleeding, itching, or crusting.
The Skin Cancer Foundation provides detailed instructions on how to do a skin check.
Skin Cancer Resources & Support
Our research reveals that people with skin cancer may need additional support and information as they navigate the disease and treatment options.
For example, in our cancer experience registry survey, 49% of participants reported being not at all to somewhat knowledgeable about treatment decisions before making them. In addition, 73% reported being not at all to somewhat knowledgeable about financial impact before treatment.
If you are living with skin cancer, we offer a variety of resources to help ease the burden of your journey.
- Find more information and resources about skin cancer, including diagnosis, treatment options, and tips for coping with the disease.
- Connect with our Cancer Support Helpline by phone or online via our live chat service. Our experienced Helpline offers free navigation for cancer patients or their loved ones.
- Create a private support website where you can document your journey and receive support from friends and family along the way.
- Visit a caring and supportive CSC or Gilda’s Club location near you.
“My suggestion is find a [support] group if you haven’t, and if you have, participate. It is helpful.”
— Lisa, diagnosed with metastatic melanoma
Jimmy Carter’s battle with cancer served as a wakeup call to many people, reminding us of the importance of skin protection and skin health. His message of prevention and early detection continues to resonate with people of all ages, and his dedication to improving cancer research and awareness has inspired countless others to do the same.
For Carter, one key to becoming cancer free just 4 months after his diagnosis was immediate treatment using radiation therapy and immunotherapy. His story is a powerful reminder of how important it is to address our own skin health and take steps to protect ourselves.
6 Strategies to Ease Your Worries About Cancer Recurrence
Stock photo posed by models
While no single strategy is guaranteed to make fears of recurrence go away completely, there are steps you can take to help ease your distress.
Many people with a history of cancer experience worries and uncertainty about the future. This can include fears of an old cancer potentially returning, or a new cancer emerging.
These feelings, while distressing, are common and normal after a cancer diagnosis. In our own research, over half of participants in our cancer experience survey reported substantial concern about disease progression or recurrence.
If you have fears about your cancer coming back, you might notice that specific factors set them off because they remind you of your diagnosis. These triggers might include follow-up appointments, anniversaries or birthdays, new diagnoses among people you know, or physical symptoms like a new ache or bump on your skin.
Fear of recurrence can affect every part of your life. Being aware of possible triggers and having coping tools ready can help you manage and minimize these fears.
If you are worried about a recurrence, try one or more of these strategies:
1. Find Professional Support
Let your healthcare team know if you are feeling worried or anxious. They can refer you to a psychosocial oncology professional with whom you can discuss your concerns. This might be a therapist or an oncology social worker.
Many people don’t realize that oncology social workers can provide support throughout a patient’s entire cancer experience, even after treatment ends.
In 2022, 74% of callers to our Cancer Support Helpline reported having worries about the future and what lies ahead, and 50% requested additional support for this concern.
Another option is to visit one of our caring and supportive Cancer Support Community or Gilda’s Club locations near you. We have 190 locations worldwide, with professionally led programs that include support groups and educational workshops for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones. Our programs are offered at no cost to anyone impacted by cancer.
“There were times when I would worry myself sick, wondering if I would have a breast cancer recurrence, and that is definitely not living your best life. Dance, laugh, take that fabulous vacation to the beach (I did), volunteer your time. Just continue to live your life!”
— Delisa
2. Develop a Care Plan
Being an active partner in your survivorship care with your healthcare team can help you maintain a sense of control. While there are some things you can’t control, think about the things you can do, such as:
- Asking your healthcare team about signs of recurrence for your cancer type and ways that you can stay healthy
- Staying on top of recommended medical tests, procedures, and other follow-up appointments
- Keeping track of new concerns and questions as they arise, and sharing them with your doctor
If you are about to finish active cancer treatment, or have just completed it, also talk to your doctor about getting a survivorship care plan. This plan outlines what a patient should do in their follow-up care and also includes important information about their diagnosis, treatments, and side effects they might experience.
Discover More About Survivorship Care Planning
Being an active participant in your healthcare and having a clear follow-up plan may help ease some of your worries about the future, including fears of recurrence. Read Alyssa’s story: a 2-time pediatric cancer survivor shares how survivorship care and self-advocacy have helped her cope with worries about a relapse.
3. Follow a Healthy Lifestyle
Creating a healthy lifestyle plan after cancer includes eating a nutritious diet and getting regular exercise.
Researchers continue to learn about the potential mental health benefits of doing both. Some studies suggest that exercise may help reduce anxiety for some people. A healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, and seeds also may be associated with lower levels of anxiety.
Talk with your healthcare team about ways you can stay as healthy as possible through nutrition and exercise.
Get Tips to Ace Your Workout After Cancer
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Try this modern twist on classic hummus, then explore our other healthy recipes designed to support the nutritional needs of people impacted by cancer.
“Two of my goals are: one, to be able to walk further distances so I could go on a couple of vacations this summer and two, to do whatever I could to improve my neuropathy in my feet and my knees… I learned what machines to use to build up my glutes, which would steady my knees. I can now walk 20 minutes on the treadmill and my balance has improved dramatically. I also learned some new yoga and meditation, all [of] which provide stretching and give me some new tools to improve my emotional health when things get tough on my cancer journey.”
— Sharletta
4. Practice Mind-Body Techniques
Research published in the journal Psychooncology suggests that mind-body practices like meditation may help reduce fears of cancer recurrence and other uncertainties in survivorship.
Mind-body practices can help you rein in distressing thoughts, focus on the present, and achieve a sense of calm. A breast cancer survivor describes how meditation and breathing techniques have helped her manage fears of recurrence.
Relax & Unwind With Our Guided Meditation Videos
5. Connect With Others Online
As you navigate different concerns related to cancer survivorship, including fears of recurrence, it can be helpful to hear from others who are going through similar experiences. Our free online cancer community is a safe space for you to share your concerns with people like you who are navigating cancer or life post-treatment.
We have discussion forums on a variety of cancer topics, including post-treatment survivorship, coping with side effects, and nutrition & wellness. It’s a convenient option if you don’t have a CSC location close to home, or if you’re looking for ways to supplement in-person support programs you may be attending.
Connect With Others Like You Now
“I am bold and able to transcend my problems because of my solid support group, with whom I am transparent and inclusive and engage in my small wins, so they are emphatic with positive thoughts during my bad days. I just let it out in my support group about my feelings, pain, good and bad days.”
― Brinda
6. Do Something You Enjoy
Channeling your focus into an activity, be it a practical task or an interesting hobby, can provide a welcome distraction that takes your mind off your worries. If you enjoy doing the activity, it may bring you a sense of happiness, too. In fact, there’s a word for this focused state of mind: flow.
The term was coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a cofounder of the field of positive psychology. Csikszentmihalyi shares more about flow and happiness in this TED Talk.