What to Expect After a Cancer Diagnosis

Finding out you have cancer can be scary and overwhelming. You may wonder what it will mean for you. Here are answers to some of the most common questions people ask when they first learn they have cancer.

What is it like to have cancer?

Having cancer is different for everyone.

Your experience with cancer will depend on the type you have, whether or not it has spread to other parts of your body, your health before diagnosis, and how your type of cancer is treated.

Other things might also play a part in how cancer affects you, like your age, your relationships and support system, and your responsibilities with work, school, or family. How you’ve dealt with stressful situations in the past could also affect your ability to cope with cancer.

How will cancer affect my daily life?

Having cancer can affect your life in many ways. You might wonder:

• Will I still be able to do my normal activities?
• How will I handle responsibilities like work, school, or caring for children?
• Will I be able to take care of myself or will I need help?

All of this will depend on your cancer, treatment, and many other factors. Now is a good time to ask your cancer care team what to expect. They can help you find support if you need it.

Having cancer can also affect your mental health. Many people feel stressed and anxious, sad, angry, helpless, numb, or alone. All of these feelings are normal. But talk to your cancer care team if your feelings are making it hard to manage daily life. They can get you the help you need.

You can also find more information and resources in Adjusting to Life with Cancer.

How will having cancer affect my finances?

Many people worry about how cancer and treatment will affect their finances. You might have questions about what your insurance will cover and what you’ll be expected to pay. Many people also worry about everyday costs and how they will continue paying for things like food and housing during treatment.

The American Cancer Society can help you get answers to your insurance questions and connect you with resources to help meet your financial needs.

• Contact the American Cancer Society
• Search for resources

How does my health care team know I have cancer?

Some cancers can be found through screening, before you have any symptoms. Or you might have signs and symptoms that cause your health care team to run more tests, including:

• Imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to look for a growth or changes in your body
• Blood tests and other procedures to look for signs of cancer

These tests might show possible signs of cancer, but doctors often need a biopsy to know for sure. Your health care team might also do a biopsy to find out exactly what type of cancer you have. 

During a biopsy, a doctor removes one or more pieces of a tumor or abnormal area. These are sent to the lab for testing. Some types of cancer can be diagnosed using blood tests, but most need biopsies.  

How do we decide which treatment I should get?

Once your cancer care team confirms you have cancer, you’ll need to decide what treatment is best for you and whether you want treatment. This decision should reflect your preferences, personal values, and goals for your health.

Before you make any decisions, your cancer care team should give you the information you need to understand your options and the likely outlook of these options. Your family and friends can also be part of the decision, helping you look at all your options and talk through your choices.   

What is the goal of treatment?

Ask your cancer care team what the goal of treatment is for you. For example, the goal might be to:

• Cure the cancer
• Control cancer growth
• Manage problems caused by the tumor

Understanding your treatment goals is a key part of making this decision. Sometimes, the goal of treatment can change over time.

What else should I consider?

The goals of your treatment should also reflect what’s important to you, such as:

• Cultural and spiritual factors
• Concerns about costs
• Family or work responsibilities
• Concerns about relying on others for care
• Concerns about fertility
• Location of the hospital or treatment center, including any need for travel away from home

Any of these priorities might make certain treatment choices more of a challenge for you.

What are my treatment options?

Your treatment options will depend on:

• The type and stage of your cancer
• The results of tests you’ve had
• Your overall health and any other medical problems you have

Depending on the type of cancer, you might be offered surgery, radiation therapy, chemo, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, or stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

Many people with cancer have more than one type of treatment. For example, radiation and/or chemo may be used along with surgery.

Your cancer care team should explain your options and answer all your questions before you decide. Be sure you understand what you can expect with each treatment before choosing one.

Should I take part in a clinical trial?

One of your treatment options might include taking part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are research studies that test new medicines and treatments to see if they work in people with certain diseases.

Each clinical trial has risks and benefits. You might be offered a treatment you couldn’t get otherwise, but the researchers might not know all the risks yet, so you’ll need more tests to watch how your body reacts to the treatment. Before you decide to take part in a clinical trial, find out as much as you can about the treatment and what you’ll need to do.

Should I get a second opinion?

You might wonder if there are other options to treat your cancer. A second opinion from another doctor may help you feel more certain about your choices. If you want a second opinion, ask your cancer care team to refer you to another cancer doctor. It’s also good to find out if your insurance plan covers a second opinion before you get one.

What if I decide not to get treated or to delay treatment?

Not everyone with cancer decides to get treatment right away or at all. You can choose to decline or delay treatment. But if you do, make sure you understand why you feel this way.

You might feel anxious and overwhelmed by the amount of information you’ve been given. Before you decide, take time to get answers to all your questions, think about your decision, and talk to the important people in your life.

Make sure you understand what is likely to happen if you put off treatment or decide not to get treated.

• For most types of cancer, treatment is more likely to work if it starts soon after diagnosis.
• Treatment might not be successful if you wait to start until the cancer grows or spreads.

Talk with your cancer care team before you make your decision. Ask them your questions and find out what other options you might have to manage your cancer and symptoms.

Should palliative care be part of my plan?

No matter what you decide about treatment, palliative care can be helpful. Palliative care focuses on improving your quality of life. It helps you cope with the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social impacts of cancer.

You can get palliative care before, during, or after treatment. If you get palliative care, your cancer care team will work with a group of specially trained health care providers to manage your symptoms or side effects. This team can help you feel better and support you with the things you want and need to do.

How can I cope with having cancer?

Finding out you have cancer can bring on many feelings like anxiety, fear, anger, depression, and loneliness. You also might have trouble believing that it’s true. These feelings are all normal.  

Each person has their own way of coping when they find out they have cancer. As you look for ways to cope, it may help to:

• Learn about your cancer and its treatment. Some people find that learning as much as they can gives them a sense of control.
• Bring someone with you to appointments. They can take notes, help you remember your questions, and remind you what your cancer care team tells you.
• Ask for good sources of information about your cancer and treatment options. You can look at this information when you have more time. It can also help you remember what your doctor or cancer care team tells you.
• Find someone who you feel comfortable talking to about your cancer, like your spouse, partner, family member, friend, or spiritual leader. You might also find it helpful to work with a therapist or counselor or join a support group.
• Think about how you’ve coped with difficult times in the past. You might be able to use some of the same ways of coping now.
• Consider keeping a journal. This could help you keep track of the information you’re learning and write down your feelings and how you’re coping with them.

More resources

• Questions to Ask When You've Been Diagnosed with Cancer
• Questions to Ask About Your Treatment