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 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.
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 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.