Why Anxiety Can Increase After Cancer Treatment Ends

How can anxiety after cancer treatment be managed?

Management should be individualized according to the patient's symptoms and clinical needs.

Approaches may include:

● Psychoeducation about recurrence risk

● Structured survivorship follow-up

● Cognitive behavioural therapy

● Mindfulness-based interventions

● Exercise when medically appropriate

● Support groups

● Family support

● Medication when clinically indicated

Clinical guidelines and research support selected interventions, including cognitive behavioural therapy and other psychosocial approaches, for cancer-related anxiety and distress. Mindfulness-based interventions, exercise and medication may be appropriate for individual patients depending on their needs and the evidence for that intervention.

Anxiety after cancer treatment should therefore be treated as a legitimate survivorship concern.