About half of all people with cancer say they feel some anxiety.

One-fourth report feeling a great deal of anxiety.

Nervousness and fear are common reactions to stressful life events like cancer.

Many caregivers worry about their loved one’s fears and their own.

It is also common to worry about the medical procedures or financial pressures associated with cancer treatment.

If feeling nervous and afraid is keeping you from everyday activities or finding enjoyment in your life, talk to your health care team.

Some fear and anxiety are normal reactions to being under stress and being a caregiver. Chances are this is a short-term problem that will lessen as they begin to feel better.

However, extreme or prolonged nervousness and fear can lead to a more serious anxiety disorder.

This may impact your life in many ways. It may prevent you from being an active member of your loved one’s treatment or affect your daily home and work activities.

Signs You May Need Help With Feeling Nervous or Afraid¹:

• Feeling worried all the time
• Not being able to focus
• Not being able to “turn off thoughts” most of the time
• Trouble sleeping most nights
• Frequent crying spells
• Feeling afraid most of the time
• Symptoms like fast heartbeat, dry mouth, shaky hands, restlessness, or feeling on edge
• Anxiety that does not get better with distraction or staying busy

What You Can Do to Manage Fear and Nervousness

It’s common to feel some nervousness or be afraid in the face of cancer. Cancer is stressful. But it is important to pay attention to how frequent and how intense these feelings are. If they last several days in a row or get in the way of doing things you need to do, ask your health care team for support and resources.

Find ways to relax such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises.

Join a support group (alone or with your loved one) to hear how other people are managing feelings of fear and nervousness.

Seek professional help from a therapist who works with people impacted by cancer. Counseling is often the best way to manage extreme fear or anxiety. A trained therapist can teach you ways to focus on your thinking and your actions to reduce anxiety.

Talk with your physician or therapist about medication that can help.

Use humor. Find something to laugh about every day.

Consider prayer. For many people, prayer helps manage the roller coaster of emotions.

Keep a journal to record and release your feelings.

1 From the National Cancer Institute, Adjustment to Cancer, Anxiety and Distress PDQ, 2014

Cancer Support Community Resources

The Cancer Support Community’s (CSC) resources and programs are available free of charge. To access any of these resources call the Cancer Support Helpline below or visit http://www.CancerSupportCommunity.org/.

Cancer Support Helpline®—Have questions, concerns or looking for resources? Call CSC’s toll-free Cancer Support Helpline (888-793-9355), available in 200 languages Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ET and Sat-Sun 9am–5pm ET.

Open to Options®—Preparing for your next appointment? Our trained specialists can help you create a list of questions to share with your doctor. Make an appointment by calling 888-793-9355 or by contacting your local CSC or Gilda’s Club.

Frankly Speaking About Cancer®—Trusted information for cancer patients and their loved ones is available through publications, online, and in-person programs. http://www.CancerSupportCommunity.org/Get-Educated-Inspired.

Services at Local CSCs and Gilda’s Clubs—With the help of 170 locations, CSC and Gilda’s Club affiliates provide services free of charge to people touched by cancer. Attend support groups, educational sessions, wellness programs, and more at a location near you. http://www.CancerSupportCommunity.org/FindLocation.

MyLifeLine—CSC’s private, online community allows patients and caregivers to easily connect with friends and family to receive social, emotional, and practical support throughout the cancer journey and beyond.

Sign up at http://www.MyLifeLine.org/.

The Cancer Policy Institute’s (CPI) Grassroots Network—Become a part of a network of cancer advocates working to help improve the lives of cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones.

Get up-to-date information on key issues that are important to the cancer community and opportunities to make your voice heard by U.S. policymakers on issues that affect people impacted by cancer.

As a Grassroots Network member you will also receive a monthly CPI newsletter, full of important information about current issues impacting patients, advocacy stories, upcoming events, resources, and more.

Sign up at http://www.CancerSupportCommunity.org/Become-Advocate.

Cancer Experience Registry®—Help others by sharing your cancer patient or cancer caregiver experience via survey at http://www.CancerExperienceRegistry.org/.

The Cancer Support Community provides this information as a service. This publication is not intended to take the place of medical care or the advice of your doctor.

We strongly suggest consulting your doctor or other health care professionals to answer questions and learn more.