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Emotional, Mental Health, and Mood Changes

A cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of patients, families, and caregivers. Common feelings during this life-changing experience include anxiety, distress, and depression. Roles at home, school, and work can be affected. It's important to recognize these changes and get help when needed.  

Anxiety

Anxiety means feeling uncomfortable, worried, or scared about a real or possible situation.  It's important to recognize anxiety and take steps to manage it or prevent it from getting worse. 

Depression

Feelings of depression are common in cancer patients, families, and caregivers. Learn how to spot depression and if there is reason to be concerned.

Distress

Distress is an unpleasant emotion, feeling, thought, condition, or behavior. Being distressed can affect the way you think, feel, or act, and can make it hard to cope with the effects of having cancer.

Video

Cancer may impact mental health and bring about feelings of distress. Learn these helpful tips to cope with distress and keep a healthy mind.

More Resources

Worksheet: Track Your Chemotherapy Side Effects

Worksheet: Track Your Radiation Therapy Side Effects

Personal Health Manager

Organize your cancer journey with the American Cancer Society Personal Health Manager.

Caregiver Resource Guide

A helpful tool for people who are caring for someone with cancer. View the complete guide here.

Help us end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

 
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