Coping with anxiety during treatment

The short version

  • Feeling anxious during treatment is very common: about side effects, scans, results, or how you’ll cope.
  • Slow breathing, staying active, planning and talking can all help.1, 2
  • If anxiety is taking over, help works: talking therapies, digital CBT such as Daylight (free through Macmillan), and support from your team.3, 4

Signs of anxiety

You might notice:

  • worrying thoughts that are hard to stop
  • feeling tense, on edge or irritable
  • a racing heart, tight chest or fast breathing
  • trouble sleeping or concentrating
  • feeling sick or having an upset stomach

Some of these can also be side effects of treatment. If you have chest pain or difficulty breathing, contact your treatment helpline or call 999.

Things that help

Slow breathing

Breathe in gently through your nose for a count of 5, and out through your mouth for a count of 5, for at least 5 minutes.1 See breathing and relaxation techniques.

Staying active

Being active during treatment reduces anxiety, as well as helping with fatigue and mood.2 Even a short daily walk counts. See exercise during chemotherapy.

Knowing what to expect

Uncertainty fuels worry. Ask your team what to expect from each treatment, which side effects to report, and who to call. Keep your 24-hour helpline number handy.

Planning for hard moments

  • Before scans or results, plan something to keep you busy, and someone to be with.
  • During treatment sessions, bring music, a podcast or a book, or use slow breathing.
  • Ask how and when you’ll get results, so you’re not left waiting.

Talking

Talk to people you trust, or to others who’ve been through it. Many hospitals and charities run support groups, and online forums are available any time.

When to get more help

Talk to your GP or team if:

  • anxiety is there most of the time, or getting worse
  • it’s stopping you sleeping, eating or doing everyday things
  • you’re having panic attacks
  • you’re avoiding treatment or appointments

Help includes:

  • NHS Talking Therapies: you can refer yourself in England.3
  • Daylight: a digital CBT programme for worry and anxiety, free for anyone living with or beyond cancer in the UK.4
  • Psychological support at your hospital: ask your breast care nurse.
  • Medicines, in some cases. Check with your team that any medicine is safe with your cancer treatment, as some antidepressants interact with tamoxifen.5

If you’re thinking about harming yourself, call 999 or NHS 111, or call Samaritans free on 116 123.

Free support

Related pages

Everyone’s treatment is different, so talk to your cancer team about what is right for you.

References

  1. NHS. Breathing exercises for stress. www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/breathing-exercises-for-stress/
  2. Campbell KL, Winters-Stone KM, Wiskemann J, et al. Exercise guidelines for cancer survivors: consensus statement from international multidisciplinary roundtable. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2019;51(11):2375–2390. doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002116
  3. NHS. NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression. www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/
  4. Macmillan Cancer Support. Big Health apps: Sleepio and Daylight, free for anyone living with or beyond cancer in the UK. orders.macmillan.org.uk/products/bighealth-big-health-apps
  5. GPnotebook. HRT in patients with breast cancer (summarising NICE NG101 recommendations on menopausal symptoms). gpnotebook.com/pages/gynaecology/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt-in-patients-with-breast-cancer
  6. Breast Cancer Now. Call our helpline. breastcancernow.org/support-for-you/call-our-helpline