Life after treatment

For most people, the cancer experience doesn’t end on the last day of treatment. Life after cancer treatment can present its own challenges. You may have mixed feelings when treatment ends, and worry that every ache and pain means the cancer is coming back.

Learn more about:

• Overview
• Follow-up appointments
• Dealing with feelings of sadness
• Looking after yourself
• What if vulvar cancer returns?

Overview

Some people say that they feel pressure to return to “normal life”. It is important to allow yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional changes, and establish a new daily routine at your own pace. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust.

Cancer Council 13 11 20 can help you connect with other people who have had cancer, and provide you with information about the emotional and practical aspects of living well after cancer.

For more on this, see Living well after cancer.

Follow-up appointments

After treatment, you will have check-ups every 3–12 months for several years to monitor your health, manage any ongoing side effects and check that the cancer hasn’t come back or spread. Your doctor will talk to you about your follow-up schedule, which will depend on the risk of the cancer coming back.

Check-ups will become less frequent if you have no further problems. Let your doctor know immediately of any health concerns between appointments.

Dealing with feelings of sadness

If you have continued feelings of sadness, have trouble getting up in the morning or have lost motivation to do things that previously gave you pleasure, you may be experiencing depression. This is quite common among people who have had cancer.

Talk to your GP, as counselling or medication – even for a short time – may help. Some people can get a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist. Ask your doctor if you are eligible. Cancer Council may also run a counselling program in your area.

For information about coping with depression and anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline 13 11 14.

Looking after yourself

Cancer can cause physical and emotional strain, so it’s important to look after your wellbeing. Cancer Council has free booklets and programs to help you during and after treatment.

Call 13 11 20 to find out more, or see Managing cancer side effects, Exercise after a cancer diagnosis, Complementary therapies, Emotions and cancer, Nutrition and cancer, Sexuality, intimacy and cancer, Fertility and cancer,  LGBTQI+ people and cancer, and Living well after cancer.

What if vulvar cancer returns?

For some people, vulvar cancer does come back after treatment, which is known as a recurrence. Depending on where the cancer recurs, treatment may include surgery, chemoradiation, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. You may also consider joining a clinical trial to try new treatments.

For more information, talk to your doctor about suitable trials or visit Cancer Institute NSW or Australian Cancer Trials.

In some cases of advanced cancer, treatment will focus on managing any symptoms, such as pain, and improving your quality of life without trying to cure the disease. This is called palliative treatment.

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