Life after cancer treatment focus for Teenage Cancer Trust this April

This April, Teenage Cancer Trust is shining a light on life after cancer treatment, as part of Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month 2024.  

Kate Collins, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Reaching the end of treatment is a major milestone for any young person with cancer. But moving on from cancer can be equally challenging – the physical, psychological and emotional impacts can be felt long afterwards and may even hit hardest after treatment is over.”  

That’s why this April, as part of Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month 2024, we’re proud to be launching new information to support teenagers and young adults with the challenges of rebuilding their lives after cancer. We’re also asking young people recovering from cancer to share their experiences and advice in relation to life after treatment, to help send out the message to any young people struggling in the aftermath of cancer. 

April is the second Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, and charities across the country will be sharing information highlighting the obstacles faced by teenagers and young adults with cancer.  

Young people share their experience of life after cancer treatment  

Speaking of her own experience, Amy, 26, said – “I think it all hit me at once. While you’re going through treatment, you’re in survival mode, but once the physical threat is over, you’re left with the mental and emotional aftermath of it all. It’s like: ‘What’s just happened?’ You’re trying to adjust to life again and wondering where do you go from here?” 

Emily, 20, who has finished her cancer treatment, shared some of her tips on moving forward after cancer, saying that “Everybody’s journey is different. There is no ‘normal’, so do what is best for you and try not to compare yourself to others who are finishing treatment at the same time.” 

Rachel, 27, echoed Emily’s sentiments of allowing yourself time, saying “I was so determined to prove resilience to myself and everyone around me, but sometimes the strongest thing you can do is be kind to yourself. Allow yourself time, sensitivity, and kindness because remission is an uphill battle.” 

Helen, 28,  also talked about being kind to yourself, and making sure you do things at your own pace. “When you’re looking at social media and hearing the stories of other young people with cancer it’s easy to compare yourself, and you might feel like you are not doing as well, or that because they’ve had a harder time your own journey and how you feel isn’t as important or valid. Remember that everyone’s journey is different and however you feel is OK.”   

As well as those who are returning to their normal lives after cancer treatment, friends and family also have to make readjustments and bear in mind how to manage this transition. Teenage Cancer Trust Youth Support Coordinator Vicki also highlighted the importance of allowing people time if they’re returning to life after cancer treatment. “The biggest thing as a person who may be supporting a friend who has had treatment is to give them time. Ensure they know they are loved and cared for but that it’s ok to not feel ok. Understand it can be very traumatic to have treatment so the person may not like going to certain places or even eat certain foods as it reminds them [of their experience].” 

Our information   

The information available on the Teenage Cancer Trust website has been developed  with first-hand insights of young people aged 13-24 who’ve been through cancer. We also worked closely with  our specialist nurses and youth workers, who together support thousands of young people every year through treatment and beyond, to fully understand what information was needed.     

Studies suggest that people who have experienced cancer when they’re young are more likely to develop mental health conditions in later life, and that it can impact young people’s studies, careers, personal relationships and their ability to live independently.*  Getting the right information and support, both during and after treatment, is crucial if young people are to have the best possible chance of going on to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.   

Teenage Cancer Trust’s specialist nurses and youth workers support young people through every step of their treatment and for up to two years afterwards, so that they can put cancer behind them and live life to the full.   

Our online information includes practical tips from young people with experience of cancer on how to cope with some of the lasting impacts – known as ‘late effects’ – that can continue for years after treatment ends.   

These can range from physical effects such as fatigue and ‘brain fog’ to fear of cancer returning and other health anxieties. It can also take time to come to terms with the emotional and psychological trauma of cancer. Worries about body image are also common, due to the physical changes that can be caused by cancer or cancer treatment.  

We have also developed information on the different aspects of adjusting to life after cancer, such as going back to school, university or work, as well as guidance on benefits entitlements and employment rights.  

To develop this information, we worked with our Youth Advisory Group, held workshops with more than 120 young people with experiences of cancer and worked with frontline staff across country.   

*Psychological Symptoms, Social Outcomes, Socioeconomic Attainment, and Health Behaviors Among Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Current State of the Literature - Brinkman, Recklitis, Michel, Grootenhuis, and Klosky, Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2018: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2017.76.5552