Many people with cancer may feel a lack of certainty about what the future holds. After a cancer diagnosis, you may feel that your life is less secure than it once was. It is important to ask for support when you are feeling this way. Talk with your health care team about the resources available to help you.

Causes of uncertainty

Both newly diagnosed patients and long-term survivors have common worries. These may include:

After treatment ends, one of the most common concerns survivors have is that the cancer will come back. If this does happen, it is called cancer recurrence.

Your child will likely have many medical tests and procedures. These help doctors learn more about your child's cancer and guide treatment decisions.

It is common for both children and parents to feel anxiety about tests and procedures. But with preparation, you can lower anxiety for you and your child.

Common fears

Children's fears may depend on their age and personality:

Infants and younger children. Often, they fear being separated from their parents.

Older children. Often, they fear pain.

Many people have health conditions in addition to cancer. Any health concern that you have at the same time as cancer can be called a co-existing condition, a chronic condition, or a comorbidity. One in 4 adults have at least 2 chronic conditions and they are even more frequent in adults who are aged 65 and older.

Some common types of co-existing conditions are:

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

• Lung disease

• Diabetes

• Kidney disease

• Arthritis