Embrace self-care
No matter where you are in your cancer experience, taking care of yourself – body, mind and soul – will help you feel and be the best that you can be.
Mental Health
It is possible that you may go through mood swings, periods of anxiety and even episodes of depression following a blood cancer diagnosis and/or treatment. This can feel distressing and isolating, but it is unlikely to improve if you don’t ask for or accept help. Blood cancer survivors and healthcare experts offer their views on cancer-related mental health issues
and offer tools to help you cope.
Know when to seek professional help for your mental health
Receiving a blood cancer diagnosis can be challenging and overwhelming. Along with physical symptoms, individuals with a blood cancer diagnosis may experience serious mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mental Health and Wellness After Cancer Treatment
Barry Yhard is a Lymphoma survivor currently employed with the Canadian Forces Health Services Group. He is certified by the Surgeon General as a mental health educator. Barry served for 33 years as an active member of the military but was injured in 2009 and in 2010 diagnosed with PTSD.
Cancer Related Distress
Margo Kennedy is an oncology social worker at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto Ontario. "Our cancer care systems pay a great deal of attention to the physical health aspects of treatment and recovery, we don't always do as well attending to the emotional components that are equally essential. Cancer related distress is an important issue which…
Inspiring Survivor Stories: Darren Bessette
Darren Bessette, a husband and father of three teenaged girls and two time survivor of a Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Diffuse large B-cell) from Ottawa, shares his experiences with the life after cancer.
Cancer-Related Distress
In this animated video, the character talks about the emotional and psychological impact of the diagnosis on himself and his family, as well as the importance of talking to those around him and to health professionals to find solutions.
Image
Know the signs of PTSD
Strange as it may seem, it is possible to suffer posttraumatic stress disorder after a cancer experience. You may have a deep emotional response to thoughts or memories of your experience with cancer for months or even years after you have recovered from your illness.
Not everyone who has cancer will have the disorder and those who do can recover from the disorder with proper diagnosis and timely treatment.
To learn more about this visit the CAMH website.
Not everyone who has cancer will have the disorder and those who do can recover from the disorder with proper diagnosis and timely treatment.
To learn more about this visit the CAMH website.
Journaling & Mindfulness
Self-reflection journal
Journaling may have benefits for you no matter where you are in your cancer experience. It can help manage stress, solve problems more effectively, get to know yourself better. Print this mindfulness journal to get started.
Journaling and Mindfulness
Journaling may have benefits for you no matter where you are in your cancer experience. The practice can help manage stress, help you solve problems more effectively, and help you get to know yourself better. Rachel is a Hatha yoga instructor and wellness coach.