Living with cancer
Managing stress
Having cancer yourself, or caring for someone who has a cancer diagnosis, may be one of the most stressful situations you are likely to face. Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure, and can be exhausting. It causes a powerful surge of hormones in your body. The stress hormones are released to help you deal with perceived pressures or threats – the so-called 'fight or flight' response. You may find you feel tearful, irritable, have headaches, not be able to eat, feel nauseous, get frequent colds, and have a feeling that you cannot cope. It can trigger migraines, irritable bowel symptoms, rashes and other physical symptoms.
People with cancer and their families report several factors which add to the stress. These include worrying about the uncertain future, tiring treatments, frequent hospital visits, physical changes, financial and employment worries, relationship pressures, and not feeling in control.
Stress can also happen once treatment has finished. Whilst you are undergoing treatment, most of your time and energy is focused on your treatment and getting healthy. It is only when the immediate crisis is over, and you are trying to adjust to life post cancer, that stress may occur. It is a common point at which many people may seek help, and think about stress management.
Stress management includes gaining control of your thoughts, emotions, worries and how you deal with problems. Maggie’s Centres run a free six week ‘Managing Stress’ course for anyone affected by cancer. A similar course is run online, at Maggie's Online Centre. (Click here for information on this, and our other online courses and workshops). You may also find our Relaxation and breathing exercises section useful.
We have added the following links to websites and other resources which offer further information on stress and stress management.
Mind
National organisation
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
NHS Choices
National organisation
NHS Choices website has been developed to help you make choices about your health, from lifestyle decisions about things like smoking, drinking and exercise, through to the practical aspects of finding and using NHS services when you need them.
Maggie's Centres
National organisation
Located in the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals,as well as online, Maggie's Centres are places that can give the extra emotional, practical and social support that people with cancer need.
Books on Prescription
National organisation
From June 2013, a new scheme, Reading Well Books on Prescription will be available in libraries throughout England. The scheme will be supported by a core list of self-help books, all of which are listed on this site. If you think one of them might help you, ask for more information at your local library or GP's surgery.
Amazon
National organisation
Online book store.
Cancer.Net
International organisation
Oncologist approved information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Amazon
National organisation
Online book store.
Ieso Digital Health
National organisation
Ieso Digital Health provides evidence-based mental health therapy online. Discreet one-to-one therapy is delivered in real time using written (typed) conversation, with patients meeting an accredited therapist in a secure virtual therapy room, at a time and location that is both convenient and comfortable for them. The use of technology and written conversation offers patient choice and more widespread access to effective, evidence-based mental health therapy, with improved outcomes.
Stress Management Society
The Stress Management Society is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping individuals and companies recognise and reduce stress. Although for companies as well as individuals, there are useful resources for managing stress.
Link last reviewed: Monday 8 May 2017
Produced by: Stress Management Society
Stress Management Society
National organisation
The Stress Management Society is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping individuals and companies recognise and reduce stress. Since their inception in 2003, Their dream has been to create a happier, healthier, more resilient and sustainable world. Some of the website is focused on corporate stress, but there are useful resources for individuals too.
National Cancer Institute
International organisation
The National Cancer Institute coordinates the USA National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.
Mind-body therapies and cancer
This section of Macmillan Cancer Support's website discusses some of the most popular and widely available mind-body complementary therapies used by people with cancer in the UK (including creative therapies)
Link last reviewed: Friday 6 January 2017
Produced by: Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support
National organisation
Macmillan Cancer Support is a large cancer charity which has merged with Cancerbackup. Both Macmillan and Cancerbackup are dedicated to supporting people affected by cancer. Macmillan develops and provides a wide range of medical, practical, emotional and financial services, including the distribution of information. Cancerbackup is the specialist cancer information charity, and provides over 6,000 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for patients with any type of cancer, their families and carers.
Meditation
Find out more about meditation as a tool to use in managing stress.
Link last reviewed: Friday 6 January 2017
Produced by: Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
National organisation
Cancer Research UK,(CRUK) is a UK charity dedicated to cancer research. Their website has a wealth of information about cancer and research into all types of cancer.
