Getting Back On Track

​​​Now that you have completed your treatment for your cancer, you will find that you need energy to recover from treatment. While focusing on your physical recovery is important, you may also want to pay attention to your emotional recovery and well-being. The emotions brought on by cancer can be intense. Finding ways to cope with these emotions is important to long-term wellness.

Every man will develop his own way of coping after cancer treatment is over. Some people prefer to cope on their own whereas others like to talk about their experience. Some prefer to focus on activities that are fun and are not specifically about improving their distress related to cancer. You will need to find what approaches work best for you, and you may find benefit from a combination of approaches.

Things that may affect your emotional well-being include: 

• Ability to work
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fear of recurrence

Read ​"Life After Treatment"​​ to learn how to manage other aspects of your emotional well-being such as:

• Roles and relationships with others
• Distress in the family
• Spiritual well-being/ inner strength
• Doing what you enjoy
• Participating in activities of daily living

What you can do

• Self-Help: There are many different ways to manage your emotional well-being. You will need to find what approaches work best for you, and you may benefit from a combination of approaches. Try doing things that make you feel relaxed and calm. These may be activities that you enjoyed before cancer, or they may be things you discovered during your cancer journey.
  • If depression or anxiety are a concern, discuss a referral with your oncologist or family doctor for counselling
  • Attend your follow-up appointments and ask questions if you have any
  • See your family doctor regularly and discuss all your health concerns, including emotional health
• Join a Support Group: Connect with other survivors.
  • Peer support by phone - Canadian Cancer Society Peer Support
    Free telephone support with a peer (this is a coast to coast database of volunteers - Cancer Connection program) both patients and family members available to support other patients and family members via phone following a diagnosis of Cancer. Call 1 888 939 3333 or find out about peer support at the Canadian Cancer Society [opens in new window] »
  • Online
    • Cancer Connection [opens in new window]
    • Young Adult Cancer Canada [opens in new window]. Young Adult Cancer Canada is an online support organization that offers counselling and resources regarding survivorship, and coping with fertility issues, sexuality, etc.
    • I Had Cancer [opens in new window]
    • Cancer Fight Club [opens in new window]
• Get Support From the Community:
  • Wellspring [opens in new window]
  • Gilda’s Club [opens in new window]