Managing the effects of cancer and treatment

It is very common to feel worried, frightened, or overwhelmed after a cancer diagnosis. Anxiety can increase during periods of uncertainty, such as waiting for results, attending appointments, or undergoing treatment itself.

When stress goes unchecked, it can not only affect your quality of life, but it can also have an effect on your physical wellbeing.

Practising relaxation and taking part in calming activities can help ease emotional strain. Some helpful options include:

• Yoga or gentle movement
• Light exercise
• Listening to music
• Spending time gardening
• Walking outdoors
• Mindfulness or meditation
• Creative activities
• Swimming

Julie Crossman, our Lead Complementary Therapist, has recorded a relaxation session and a progressive massage relaxation session.

You can read more about coping with fear and anxiety on the Cancer Research UK website.

Useful links:
Macmillan mind-body therapies
NHS – Every Mind Matters
Emotional and psychological support
Brief techniques to manage anxiety

Fatigue related to cancer can range from mild tiredness to extreme exhaustion. Unlike normal tiredness, rest alone may not fully relieve it. Energy levels often improve once treatment finishes.

Causes of cancer related fatigue vary, but may include:

• Poor sleep
• The cancer itself
• Treatment for your cancer
• Pain
• Anaemia
• Lack of physical activity
• Poor nutrition
• Medication
• Emotional stress

Fatigue can affect you in different ways:

• Slow decision making
• Breathlessness after activity
• Lack of activity-the get up and go has got up and gone!
• Speech/clarity of thought
• Poor memory
• Difficulty with simple tasks
• Poor sleep-sometimes too little, but also sometimes, too much sleep
• Low mood
• Worry and distress
• Decreased libido

Further information:

• Managing cancer-related fatigue video
• Living with cancer fatigue (Macmillan videos)
• Macmillan fatigue guidance
• Macmillan physical activity information
• Open Country’s Breakfree Trails. Accessible walks across our region.

Staying active – before, during, and after treatment – is generally safe and can improve both energy levels and overall wellbeing. Dancing for Well-Being runs regular, gentle exercise classes across the Harrogate district.

Keep a diary, make note of what is making your fatigue worse. Plan ahead, pace yourself throughout the day and spread tasks out.

Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment with openness and without judgement. This includes becoming aware of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations as they arise.

Although everyone can practise mindfulness, it often requires time and patience, especially if you are used to multitasking or feeling constantly rushed.

Developing mindfulness skills can help you feel calmer, more focused, and better able to manage difficult emotions linked to stress and worry.

Free resources and courses are available from Breathworks:.

The Daylight app is also available for free via Macmillan.

Julie Crossman, our Lead Complementary Therapist, has recorded a relaxation session and a progressive massage relaxation session.

Explore guided relaxation and mindfulness exercises for patients.

Changes to eating habits may sometimes be needed due to the cancer itself or as a result of treatment.

Your clinical team will advise you if dietary adjustments are necessary, and you may be referred to specialist dietitians for further support.

More information about local dietetic services.

Additional guidance on nutrition and cancer is available from Macmillan:

Common diet questions and cancer
Eating well during treatment
Building up your diet
Healthy eating and cancer
Managing eating difficulties

Some cancer treatments – including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapies, and targeted treatments – may lead to hair loss. Hair may also be shaved before certain surgical procedures.

Find out more about managing hair loss on the Macmillan website.

Read more about the wig-fitting service that is available at Harrogate Hospital and the NHS discount that is offered, via the cancer information team, at Masumi Headwear. You can also pick up a headscarf from the cancer information and support centre at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre.

Support services:

Natural Image Wigs – local wig service
HeadWrappers – support with hair loss, scarves, and workshops
Cancer Hair Care UK – free advice and educational resources

Cancer and its treatments can affect personal appearance in many ways, including hair loss, skin changes, weight fluctuations, surgical scars, and changes to the face or body. These visible changes can have a significant impact on confidence, self-image, and emotional wellbeing. With the right support, practical advice, and access to appearance-related services and products, many people find ways to adapt and feel more comfortable throughout and after treatment.

The following organisations provide advice and support relating to skincare, appearance, and confidence:

Boots Beauty Advisors
Look Good Feel Better – webinars
Breast Cancer Now tutorials
Changing Faces charity
Flat Friends

Sleep difficulties are common when undergoing cancer diagnosis and its treatments and may include:

• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Night sweats or hot flushes
• Excessive daytime tiredness
• Restless legs
• Anxiety affecting sleep

Helpful approaches include:

Mental reframing

Challenging negative thoughts about sleep and developing healthier attitudes.

Relaxation techniques

Exercises such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation.

Sleep hygiene

Maintaining routines, keeping bedrooms cool and dark, and avoiding caffeine or heavy meals late in the evening. Avoid using computers and mobile phones around bedtime.

Sleep routines

Using bed only for sleep and maintaining consistent wake times.

Helpful products and resources include cooling bedding, white noise devices, weighted blankets, the Headspace app, and the Sleepio programme.

More information about trouble sleeping is available from the Macmillan website. Useful resources can also be found via The Sleep Charity.

Cancer and its treatments can affect sexual wellbeing in physical, emotional, and practical ways. Many of these changes are temporary and improve after treatment.

You can discuss any concerns with your healthcare team at any time. Please do not hesitate to contact them as they deal with issues about sexual wellbeing on a regular basis.

More sex and cancer information is available from the Macmillan website.

Experiencing a wide range of emotions after a cancer diagnosis is normal. Everyone responds differently, and there is no right or wrong way to feel.

Support is available through your healthcare team and organisations such as Macmillan.

• Talking therapies
• MIND
• Andy’s Man Club
• Macmillan Support Line
• Macmillan Online Community

Reaching out and talking to a friend or family member can often help.

Breathlessness is sometimes called shortness of breath. It can be a symptom of cancer, or a side effect of treatment.

Breathlessness affects everyone differently. It may happen suddenly, but only last for a short time, for example hours or days. This is known as acute breathlessness. Or it can happen gradually and last for several weeks or more or keeps coming back. This is known as chronic breathlessness.

Signs and symptoms of breathlessness include:

• uncomfortable or fast breathing
• a tight chest
• using the neck and shoulder muscles to pull more air in
• feeling anxious or frightened.

Breathing exercises and relaxation can help if you experience breathlessness. Remaining calm is important, as anxiety can worsen breathing difficulties.
Cancer Research UK provides techniques and resources to manage breathlessness.

Contact your doctor/Acute Oncology Helpline (01423 555444) straight away if:

• • breathlessness is a new symptom
  • you have pain when you breathe
  • the breathlessness gets worse quickly.

You may need urgent treatment. If you cannot speak to your doctor and your breathlessness continues to get worse, go straight to your nearest A&E (emergency department).

Cancer treatment may sometimes trigger early menopause, and some hormone therapies can cause or exacerbate menopause symptoms for both men and women. This can be a very challenging side effect of cancer and its treatment. Support and information can help you manage symptoms and maintain wellbeing.

A wide range of resources is available through Macmillan and specialist menopause organisations.

Macmillan links:

• Daisy network
• British Menopause Society
• Find a British Menopause Society-recognised menopause specialist
• The Menopause Charity
• Menopause and cancer

Some people experience changes in thinking, memory, or concentration during or after cancer treatment. This is sometimes called cancer-related cognitive impairment or “chemo brain”.

Common experiences may include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Reduced attention span
• Trouble multitasking
• Word-finding difficulties

These changes can be linked to treatment effects, fatigue, emotional wellbeing, medications, or other health conditions.

Speak to your healthcare team if symptoms concern you.

Feeling sick can occur for many reasons, including treatment effects, medications, infections, or emotional stress.

Treatments that may cause nausea include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.

Support and management advice are available from Macmillan and Cancer Research UK.

Cancer and its treatments may affect bladder or bowel function. Symptoms can include urgency, frequency, discomfort, constipation, diarrhoea, or incontinence.

If these occur, speak to your clinical team, as support and treatments are available.

Macmillan also offers a toilet access card to help when out in public.

For more information and support about bowel and bladder problems, visit Macmillan.

Pain can occur for many reasons, including the cancer itself, treatment effects, or pressure on tissues or nerves.

Most cancer-related pain can be effectively managed using:

• Medicines
• Physical therapies
• Complementary approaches
• Self-care strategies

Pain is personal, and emotional factors such as fatigue or anxiety can affect how it feels. Healthcare professionals can help you find suitable management options.

When pain is controlled, it is easier to continue daily activities and maintain quality of life.

Social prescriber
A social prescriber helps people improve their health and wellbeing by connecting them with local community services, activities, and support that meet their individual needs.

Anyone can contact their GP practice and ask for an appointment with their local social prescriber

Coping with loneliness
Talking to other people about your feelings can help you feel less alone. Talking to family, friends or a partner might reassure you. Or you might find it more useful to talk to someone in a similar situation to you.

Support from Macmillan
Visit Macmillan’s emotional support forum to talk with people who are dealing with the emotional impact of cancer, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.
You may find that joining a support group gives you a place to talk.
You can also call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00. Their cancer support specialists can answer your questions about cancer and your feelings. Or they can just listen.

Macmillan Buddies
Macmillan Buddies are trained volunteers who often have a cancer experience or know someone who has. They can support you with a weekly phone call.
Sign up to receive a weekly call from a Macmillan Buddy.

HOPE
Help to Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) is a course to help people after cancer treatment. It was developed by Hope for the Community and Macmillan Cancer Support. This course is run in small groups. It is free and takes place at different locations across the UK.

Macmillan also delivers an online HOPE programme, which is a 6-week self-management course based on an online platform. You can learn more and book onto an online HOPE course.

Local befriending services
Befriending services provide regular social and emotional support to people who may be feeling isolated, lonely, or in need of companionship. Through friendly conversations, regular phone calls, online contact, or face-to-face visits, trained volunteers or staff offer a listening ear, encouragement, and meaningful connection. Befriending services help reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing, build confidence, and ensure people feel supported and connected to their community.

Befriending in Harrogate District
Wellbeing groups in Harrogate
Mental health support for young people
Supporting Older People charity

Active Against Cancer is a free NHS health and wellbeing service providing personalised activity programmes and exercise guidance for cancer patients.

The service is available to anyone diagnosed with cancer or receiving cancer treatment in the Harrogate and District NHS Trust area. It welcomes patients at all stages of their cancer journey, no matter their fitness level.

There are a number of other exercise options within the local community, some of which are listed here. Please contact your local community hub for details of programmes and activities local to you.
Active North Yorkshire
Active Together
Move Against Cancer – 5K Your Way
Fit 4 Future cancer exercise sessions support people who have finished the Active Against Cancer programme. They are held at various locations in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Walking Football with Harrogate Town Community Foundation
Dancing for Well-Being

Macmillan and Cancer Research UK provide extensive resources on pain management and coping strategies.