After cancer treatment

Getting back to ‘normal’ after you finish your cancer treatment isn’t always straightforward. You might feel like there’s lots of things to think about and experiences to navigate.

Your plans and relationships might look quite different now that you’ve finished treatment. If you’re ready to head back to work or education after treatment this can be a big step and it’s normal to feel both excited and nervous. It’s important you know that as a young person who’s had cancer, you have rights in law to help you get what you need to keep studying or in order to do your job. This applies if you’re looking for a new job too.

You might also experience some long-term or late side effects from your treatment, not everyone will but it’s good to know what help there is available.

With help from over 100 young people who have had cancer and the frontline NHS staff that support them we’ve developed lots of information to support young people after their cancer treatment.

You can find out more about how to manage late effects, what financial benefits you might be entitled to, what support you can get in education and back at work and much more. Use the links below to find out more and read tips from other young people too.

If you need immediate support you can find more information on organisations that can help you here.

What happens when cancer treatment ends?

Read more about finding a new routine and planning for your next steps when cancer treatment ends.

I'm worried my cancer will come back

Read about who to talk to if you’re worried about your cancer coming back.

Fear of cancer returning

Even when you’re in remission it’s common to worry about what will happen if it comes back. Find out more about how to cope with these worries here.

Late effects of cancer treatment

You could still get side effects a long time after your treatment has finished. Learn about some of the later side effects and what support is available to you.

Fatigue as a late effect of cancer treatment

Fatigue is a common late effect that can leave you feeling exhausted with no energy. Find out more about what causes it and how you can get support to cope with it.

What is brain fog? (chemo brain)

Brain fog is also called ‘chemo brain’. It’s a side effect of cancer treatment and can sometimes last for a long time after treatment.

What benefits am I entitled to if I've had cancer?

Find out more about the financial support you might be entitled to, and how to apply for it.

What is the Equality Act and how does it apply to young people with cancer?

The Equality Act protects everyone who has, or has had, cancer against discrimination. Find out more about what this means and how you can protect yourself.

My rights in work and education after cancer

Going back to work or school after cancer treatment can be difficult. It’s important to remember you have rights that can support you with this process. Find out more here.

Returning to work after cancer treatment

Find out more about your rights, how to talk to your employer, and how to look for work here.

Back to education after cancer

Learn about your rights, how to prepare, what support you can get and who to talk to.

Going back to school after cancer treatment

Find out more about what going back to school after cancer treatment might be like, how you can prepare and what support you can get.

Going back to university after cancer treatment

Find out about more about going back to university after cancer treatment, what support you can get and what benefits you might be entitled to.

Health anxiety after cancer

After finishing cancer treatment lots of people find themselves more worried about their health than before. Find out more about health anxiety and how to manage it here.

Body image and cancer

Cancer sometimes changes the way your body looks, functions and feels – find out more about how to cope with this.

Urgent help

If you’re a young person affected by cancer and need urgent help now, find out who to call here.

Useful contacts

Our go-to place of great organisations that can answer your questions and offer advice.