Anxiety is a feeling of fear or anticipated harm accompanied by fearful thoughts about future events. Intrusive worrying thoughts interfere with daily activities and disrupt sleep. Memory, concentration and confidence are affected. In cancer, high uncertainty and many threats are present. It is natural to worry about these.

Management – Anxiety is unlikely to cause any direct physical harm. It is just the normal felling of fear, but it occurs at the wrong time and place. Remind yourself you can and will overcome this feeling. Learn to relax and stop intaking any foods that could cause anxiety. Exercise and reduce stress in life can also help.

You may be depressed when feeling sad, disinterested, unhappy or worthless for months. These have interfered your daily life and had unwanted changes in sleeping or eating habits. In cancer, depression is more likely to be seen than in healthy people, but not to other serious illness.

Management – Exercise is one of the most effective ways against depression. Motivate and encourage yourself to exercise by achievements and ways to treats. Deep relaxation is a mean of exercise as well. Cognitive therapy can let you learn to overcome negative thoughts and features from depression. Talk to you family members and friends, do not isolate yourself.

This kind of fatigue is different from ordinary tiredness. It is the most common side-effect of cancer treatment.

Management – A healthy lifestyle makes a big difference. Slow down your pace of life and manage stress will definitely help.

Uncertainty and worry will appear after cancer treatment that the disease might come back. It is usually the worst in the first year after the treatment. It would cause several issues including anxiety, sleep disruption and high levels of distress, which might get more serious if you neglect these.

Management – Talk with your oncologist about recurrence and talk to your family members and friends about your fear. Adopt a healthy lifestyle and practice how to relax will relieve the fear. Keep yourself open to communication to let others know what you fear of.

Neuropathies are numbness, prickling or tingling, hot or cold, itching or burning sensations in an affected body part, which may be painful. Cancer chemotherapy drugs can damage nerves, usually in hands and feet.

Management – Understand neuropathies can take many months to recover. Follow an active lifestyle with regular exercise and balanced meals. Avoid temperature extremes and massage the affected area to improve blood circulation. Beware of psychological responses and if you come across any difficulties in handling the changes, talk to your doctor and trusted one.

Pain is common during and after cancer treatment. It is usually defined as an unpleasant sensation or feeling that we try to avoid.

Management – Inform your doctor about your pain and see if medication is needed. Do not fear about pain and try to think about it as just another neutral sensation. Stay positive and talk to your trusted ones, as well as encourage yourself.

When sleep is disrupted we often get upset. Medication from cancer treatment can upset sleep patterns. Other symptoms related to cancer treatment can make it difficult to find a comfortable position for sleeping well.

Management – Regular sleeping time can help to improve the situation. Try to comfort and relax an hour before sleeping. Exercise can help sleep onset. You should seek doctor’s advice if you have a sleep cycle problem or breathing problem.