How cancer can make you feel
You can be hopeful and think positively without always feeling cheerful or optimistic.
It means recognising some of the fearful possibilities that can arise from having cancer. Thinking positively recognises the importance of hope, whatever your situation.
Even if your cancer is advanced, some treatments might relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. You can also still have meaningful and positive interactions with those close to you.
Feeling upset and frightened can be a sign of strength. It may reflect your courage in facing up to an uncertain future. But sometimes, it is important to put these worries aside and have moments where you focus on positive things.
These might include planning meaningful moments and focusing on realistic hopes. This does not mean denying the challenges you are facing. Allowing for these moments of respite can help in the long term. This may take practice, and you may need support doing it.
This doesn’t mean that you have to stop yourself from feeling down. It is important to allow yourself to experience your feelings.
It is fine to cry if you need to, and it can provide a great release. If you feel very angry, find a safe way to express this.
You could try doing physical activity, listening to very loud music or watching something emotional. Sometimes they really can help.
A good rule of thumb is to stick to what you know is true.
If you keep thinking that your life will never be any good again because of your cancer, you don’t know that this is true. Most people with cancer do go through some negative feelings during their treatment, but in time things do usually get better.
Thinking a lot about the worst does not help you to prepare or protect you from it. It mostly makes you feel bad and takes away time and energy that can be used for self care.
Make sure that you have a good support network of positive people around you, such as close friends and family, doctors and nurses, or a counsellor. These people can help lift your spirits and be there when you need a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen to how you feel.
You may be surprised at how much talking to others can help.
If you need their support, you might have to raise it. Sometimes they would be too worried to do so for fear of upsetting you. You can help guide them with that at first.
Maudsley Learning, part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, has a set of cancer and mental wellbeing videos for people affected by cancer.
The videos have information and advice on what to do if a cancer diagnosis affects your mental health. They cover several topics, including breaking bad news, managing anxiety, common reactions to a diagnosis, and relationships.
Last reviewed: 26 Mar 2026
Next review due: 26 Mar 2029
There are things you can do to help yourself manage your feelings and emotions.
After a diagnosis of cancer, you might have a range of feelings including fear, sadness, anxiety and depression. These are normal responses to a stressful life experience.
Being depressed is much more intense than feeling down or sad. Feeling sad now and then is part of life, but depression is a much stronger feeling.
Counselling can help you come to terms with your cancer. Understanding what it is and how it can help, can help you decide if it is right for you.
There are a few ways to go about finding a counsellor.
Whether you are someone with cancer or a carer for someone with cancer, we want you to know that it is common to struggle with your mental health when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. But there are people who can support you during this time and things you can do to help yourself.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
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Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
