People think that once remission has been confirmed and treatment completed, life goes back to the way it was. However, for many, this transition does not mean a return to “normal,” but rather the beginning of a period of adaptation, often marked by physical, emotional or social challenges. The journey after breast cancer is a personal and unique one.

The completion of treatments can be experienced as a new beginning. However, one study found that 72% of cancer patients surveyed said they had faced difficulties in the first year after ending their treatments (Brochu and Arsenault, 2022). These challenges can affect different aspects of daily life.

Late or persisten side effects

Although the “active” treatments are over, some side effects may persist, such as chronic fatigue, brain fog and the after-effects of hormone therapy.

I used to be very energetic, but now I feel like a battery that never fully recharges.

— Murielle, age 55

These symptoms may be imperceptible to family and friends, but they are real and can make it difficult to resume life as it was. This can affect not only patients’ physical well-being, but also their morale and self-esteem.

Psychological and emotional distress

What many see as a relief – the end of treatments – can be a time of psychological vulnerability. Some people experience anxiety and stress, particularly due to the fear of recurrence.

Every time I feel pain, I go into a tailspin of anxiety. I think: is this normal? Is it a sign of a recurrence? My friends and family tell me not to think about it too much, but how can I do that?

— Valérie, age 47

Treatments can also have an impact on body image. “Reclaiming” your body and feeling good about yourself is a process that can take time.

My partner tells me I’m beautiful, and that the important thing is that I’m alive. But I’m having trouble reconnecting with myself.

— Marisela, age 40

For some people, post-cancer challenges can lead to a sense of loss of identity.

Losing your bearings

Here I was, on the threshold of my ‘new life,’ and yet I felt more lost than ever. For months, I had been told what to do, where to go, when to come back. Then, from one day to the next… nothing.

— Valérie, age 47

This feeling is more common than one might think. Follow-ups are less frequent after months of treatments, and the absence of a reassuring medical environment can be unsettling.

Trouble finding your place

It’s like surviving a shipwreck. They pull you out of the water, celebrate your rescue… but nobody tells you how to live after the shock, how to reclaim your life when everything has changed.

— Murielle, age 55

Back to work, back to school, back to activities… while some people manage to resume their former lives without too much difficulty, others struggle to find their bearings and a “new normal.”

A lack of understanding of this transition period

Friends and family, happy to see your illness behind you, think it’s all over, and don’t always understand that the recovery process and the inner journey are not complete (“Shouldn’t you be happy?”).

The discrepancy between the feelings of people with the illness and the expectations of their families and friends can be bewildering. Some patients may feel alone and misunderstood.

There are support resources available to help with the transition to “life after cancer.” Here are a few tips and resources to help make the adjustment period easier.

Allowing oneself time to heal

It is important for you to allow yourself the time you need to absorb the changes you have experienced. True healing can involve accepting your emotions and your new reality, and re-evaluating your priorities.

Healing doesn’t necessarily mean going back to being who you were before. It can mean learning to be yourself in a different way. With courage and kindness. With more fragility, but also more strength.

— Marisela, age 40

Taking care of yourself

Rediscovering the pleasure of taking care of yourself can help you “reclaim” your body, by gratefully celebrating what it is able to do.

Adapted physical activity and a balanced diet can play a role in managing tiredness and improving general well-being. Some practices, such as adapted yoga and sophrology, can also help to calm the mind and restore a certain emotional balance.

Finding support to move forward

Meeting other people who have been through the same experience can help you understand that you are not alone in your journey. Talking to people who have been through it and who understand helps to validate your feelings and overcome your sense of being alone.

What helped me was to meet other women who had gone through the same thing. I understood that I wasn’t alone and that my emotions were justified.

— Murielle, age 55

There are many resources available for people who have finished their treatments. Health professionals and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation’s free support services are there for you before, during and even after breast cancer. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need them.

Informing yourself, your family and friends

Understanding post-cancer issues can help you to cope better during this period. It is also important for those around you to understand that, even if the treatment is over, remission is a complex and personal process.

If this describes your reality, know that you are not alone. Information and support resources are available to help you on your personal journey, one step at a time. Don’t hesitate to share your experience and explore the resources available to help you through this transition.

Ressources

Talk to people who have been there and understand you:

• Peer support helpline 1 855-561-ROSE (7673)
• Private Facebook groups and peer support group

Consult health professionals:

• The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation offers free psychosocial support.
• Oncologists and pivot nurses are there to answer your questions and coordinate follow-up care.
• Family doctors and community pharmacists can help manage side effects.
• Psychologists in the hospital’s psychosocial oncology department, or in private practice, can offer emotional and psychological support.
• Consulting an occupational therapist can help with the adaptation process.

Post-treatment information resources:

• Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation educational events
• Foundation website: Inform me – After the treatments
• Life after cancer – Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
• Managing symptoms – e-IMPAQc
• Les guéris podcast (in French)