Managing Anxiety Before Starting Cancer Treatment
Understanding Pre-Treatment Anxiety
Feeling anxious before starting breast cancer treatment is both normal and expected. For many people, the days leading up to the first treatment—whether it’s surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy—are actually the hardest. It can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure of what comes next. Once treatment begins, many patients report that their anxiety decreases as they gain a clearer sense of what to expect.
Why Anxiety Happens
There are several reasons people feel anxious before treatment:
Fear of the unknown: Not knowing what side effects may occur or how your body will respond.
Worry about effectiveness: Concerns that treatment may not work or that cancer might return.
Information overload: Consent forms list every possible side effect, and the medical jargon can be confusing.
Feeling alone: Uncertainty about who to turn to for help or how much support you’ll have at home.
Role changes: If you’re used to being a caregiver, it can feel unsettling to need help yourself.
These feelings are not an overreaction—they are a natural response to a challenging situation.
What You Can Expect from Your Care Team
Your medical team is there to provide both information and emotional support. High-quality information should be clear, personalized, and free of jargon. Don’t hesitate to ask questions—even if it means requesting extra time during your appointment. Write down your questions in advance and bring them with you so that your care team can address your concerns early in the visit.
Remember, emotional support may come from multiple team members—nurses, social workers, and nurse practitioners often play key roles in helping patients manage their anxiety.
Practical Strategies to Cope with Anxiety
Here are some research-backed and patient-tested strategies to help you manage pre-treatment anxiety:
Normalize Your Feelings: Anxiety is a normal reaction to uncertainty. Acknowledge it without judgment.
Write It Down: List your worries or draw them out. Getting them onto paper helps clear your mind.
Set Worry Time: Choose a specific 10-15 minute window each day to focus on your worries. This can prevent them from taking over your entire day.
Stay Present: Ground yourself by focusing on where your feet are—right here, right now. Mindfulness helps reduce overwhelm.
Ask for Help: If anxiety interferes with your sleep, relationships, or ability to function, talk to your healthcare team. Mental health professionals, oncology social workers, or support groups can help.
Final Thoughts
Anxiety before breast cancer treatment doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re human. Once you begin treatment, you’ll gain confidence, support, and clarity along the way. You are not alone in this journey. Your care team, community, and loved ones are here to help you through each step.
A long-time practicing oncologist and professor at the University of Michigan, Jennifer has received several awards for her medical excellence and published over 150 original research articles as well as numerous editorials and book chapters. She is also a speaker and advocate, committed to improving the quality of medical care and reducing the barriers to equity among the disenfranchised.
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This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
