Ask Dr Miriam

QI’ve had my lung cancer treated and I’ve been given the all clear, but I can’t stop worrying whether it will come back. How can I feel reassured?

AMany people fear cancer will come back. It’s a normal reaction. As time goes on most become less worried. It’s not only that worry eases over time, but the risk does too.

When cancer does recur, in most cases it happens in the first two to three years after treatment. It may help you to talk to your cancer specialist or clinical nurse specialist about the risk of it coming back. If you’re concerned about any unexplained symptoms, particularly any that last more than a week, arrange a check-up with your GP. To help calm your mind I’d suggest you start exercising. So join your local gym and start doing a little basic yoga every morning. You’ll probably find your moments of post-cancer anxiety a lot less frequent and severe.