U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

When Cancer

Returns

Support for People With Cancer

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When Cancer Returns For more information . . .

This booklet is only one of many free booklets for

people with cancer. Here are some others you may

find useful: 

• Biological Therapy: Treatments That Use Your 

Immune System To Fight Cancer

• Chemotherapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help During

Cancer Treatments

• Eating Hints for Cancer Patients

• If You Have Cancer: What You Should Know About

Clinical Trials

• Pain Control: A Guide for People With Cancer 

and Their Families

• Radiation Therapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help 

During Cancer Treatments

• Taking Time: Support for People With Cancer

• Thinking About Complementary and Alternative

Medicine: A Guide for People With Cancer

These booklets are available from the National

Cancer Institute (NCI.) To learn more about the

specific type of cancer you have or to request any of

these booklets, visit NCI's Web site (www.cancer.gov).

You can also call NCI’s Cancer Information Service

at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) to speak with

an information specialist. 

“When I found out I had cancer again, 

I just felt numb. It was hard for me 

to accept the news at first. 

After a few weeks, though, I started 

to really look at all my options 

and things I could do for myself. 

By doing this, it gave me back 

some control.” 
Table of Contents

1. Adjusting to the News ..................................................1

2. Why and Where Cancer Returns ................................3

3. Taking Control: Your Care and Treatment ................5

4. Managing the Side Effects of Your Treatment.........13

5. Your Feelings ..............................................................25

6. Setting Goals...............................................................41

7. Family and Friends.....................................................43

8. Looking for Meaning.................................................49

9. A Time To Reflect ......................................................53

10. Words To Know ..........................................................54

11. Resources ...................................................................59

Words that appear in bold in the text are defined in the

Words To Know section on page 54.
CHAPTER 1

Adjusting to the News

Maybe in the back of your mind, you feared that your cancer

might return. Now you might be thinking, “How can this be

happening to me again? Haven’t I been through enough?”

You may be feeling shocked, angry, sad, or scared. Many

people have these feelings. But you have something now 

that you didn’t have before—experience. You’ve lived

through cancer once. You know a lot about what to expect

and hope for. 

Also remember that treatments may have improved since you

had your first cancer. New drugs or methods may help with

your treatment or in managing side effects. In fact, cancer is

now often thought of as a chronic disease, one which people

manage for many years. 

Using This Booklet

This booklet offers some general advice as you adjust to the

news that your cancer has returned. It covers all aspects of

your treatment. These include managing side effects and

symptoms, as well as seeking emotional support. 

Above all else, remember that your feelings count. There is no

“right” way to cope. Some people need a lot of information.

Others like a little at a time. Likewise, some sections in this

booklet may address your needs. Others may not. 

■ Flip through the Table of Contents to look for topics

you need.

■ Using this guide along with those booklets listed on

the inside front cover may help you find the

information that you need. 

1

“One minute everything was fine,

and then my doctor dropped the

bomb that my cancer had come

back. In 5 short minutes, my life

had changed again.” 

—Dorothy
CHAPTER 2

Why and Where Cancer Returns

When cancer comes back, doctors call it a recurrence (or

recurrent cancer). Some things you should know are:

■ A recurrent cancer starts with cancer cells that the first

treatment didn’t fully remove or destroy. Some may

have been too small to be seen in follow-up. This

doesn’t mean that the treatment you received was

wrong. And it doesn’t mean that you did anything

wrong, either. It just means that a small number of

cancer cells survived the treatment. These cells grew

over time into tumors or cancer that your doctor can

now detect. 

■ When cancer comes back, it doesn’t always show up in

the same part of the body. For example, if you had

colon cancer, it may come back in your liver. But the

cancer is still called colon cancer. When the original

cancer spreads to a new place, it is called a metastasis

(meh-TAS-tuh-sis). (See the box on the next page.) 

■ It is possible to develop a completely new cancer 

that has nothing to do with your original cancer. 

But this doesn’t happen

very often. Recurrences 

are more common.

3

“I was floored. I thought all the

cancer was gone. I was just getting

back to a normal life. I was even

more surprised that it came back

in a different place. But I didn’t

care where it was. I just wanted it

to go away.” —Ronald
CHAPTER 3

Taking Control: 

Your Care and Treatment

Cancer that returns can affect all parts of your life. You may

feel weak and no longer in control. But you don’t have to feel

that way. You can take part in your care and in making

decisions. You can also talk with your health care team and

loved ones as you decide about your care. This may help you

feel a sense of control and well-being.

Talking With Your Health Care Team

“I always ask lots of questions because I want to be ready

just in case something happens. I really do believe that

everyone taking care of me has my best interests at heart.

But I worry that if I don’t ask about everything, they may

forget to give me the answers.” —Bonita

Many people have a treatment team of health providers who

work together to help them. This team may include doctors,

nurses, oncology social workers, dietitians, or other specialists.

Some people don’t like to ask about treatment choices or side

effects. They think that doctors don’t like being questioned.

But this is not true. Most doctors want their patients to be

involved in their own care. They want patients to discuss

concerns with them. 

4 5

Where Cancer Can Return

Doctors define recurrent cancers by where they develop.

The different types of recurrence are:

■ Local recurrence. This means that the cancer is

in the same place as the original cancer or is very

close to it.

■ Regional recurrence. This is when tumors grow in

lymph nodes or tissues near the place of the

original cancer.

■ Distant recurrence. In these cases, the cancer has

spread (metastasized) to organs or tissues far

from the place of the original cancer.

Local cancer may be easier to treat than regional or

distant cancer. But this can be different for each patient.

Talk with your doctor about your options.
Other Tips for Talking With Your

Health Care Team

“You need a notebook because you go in there and they’re

telling you things, and you’re so scared that you don’t really

listen. Then you get home, and you can’t even remember

what they said.” —Jake

■ Speak openly about your needs, questions, and

concerns. Don’t be embarrassed to ask your doctor to

repeat or explain something.

■ Keep a file or notebook of all the papers and test

results that your doctor has given you. Take this file

to your visits. Also keep records or a diary of all your

visits. List the drugs and tests you have taken. Then

you can refer to your records when you need to.

Many patients say this is helpful, especially when you

meet with a new doctor for the first time.

■ Write down your questions before you see your doctors

so you will remember them. (See the box on page 10.)

■ Ask a family member or friend to go to the doctor’s

office with you. They can help you ask questions to

get a clear sense of what to expect. This can be an

emotional time. You may have trouble focusing on

what the doctor says. It may be easier for someone

else to take notes. Then you can review them later.

■ Ask your doctor if it’s okay to tape-record your talks. 

■ Tell your doctor if you want to get dressed before

talking about your results. Wearing a gown or robe is

distracting for some patients. They find it harder to

focus on what the doctor is saying. 

7

Here are a few topics you may want to discuss with your

health care team:

■ Pain or Other Symptoms. Be honest and open

about how you feel. Tell your doctors if you have pain

and where. Tell them what you expect in the way of

pain relief. (See Chapter 4 for more about pain and

other symptoms.)

■ Communication. Some people want to know details

about their care. Others prefer to know as little as

possible. Some people with cancer want their family

members to make most of their decisions. What

would you prefer? Decide what you want to know,

how much you want to know, and when you’ve heard

enough. Choose what is most comfortable for you.

Then tell your doctor and family members. Ask that

they follow through with your wishes. 

■ Family Wishes. Some family members may have

trouble dealing with cancer. They don’t want to know

how far the disease has advanced. Find out from your

family members how much they want to know. And

be sure to tell your doctors and nurses. Do this as

soon as possible. It will help avoid conflicts or distress

among your loved ones. (See page 43 to read more

about talking with your loved ones.)

6
Clinical Trials 

Treatment clinical trials are research studies that try to find

better ways to treat cancer. Every day, cancer researchers

learn more about treatment options from clinical trials.

Each study has rules about who can take part. These rules

include the person’s age and type of cancer. They also cover

earlier treatments and where the cancer has returned. 

Clinical trials have both benefits and risks. Your doctor

should tell you about them before you make any decisions 

about taking part.

There are different phases of clinical trials. They include: 

■ Phase I trials test what dose of a treatment is safe

and how it should be given.

■ Phase II trials discover how cancer responds to a

new drug or treatment. 

■ Phase III trials compare an accepted cancer

treatment (standard treatment) with a new treatment

that researchers hope is better.

Taking part in a clinical trial could help you and others who

get cancer in the future. But insurance and managed care

plans do not always cover the costs. What they cover varies by

plan and by study. If you want to learn more about clinical

trials, talk with your health care team. 

For more information about clinical trials, see NCI’s

brochure If You Have Cancer: What You Should Know About

Clinical Trials.

9

Treatment Choices

There are many treatment choices for recurrent cancer. Your

treatment will depend partly on the type of cancer and the

treatment you had before. It will also depend on where the

cancer has recurred. For example:

■ A local recurrence may be best treated by surgery or

radiation therapy. This means that the doctor

removes the tumor or destroys it with radiation. 

■ A distant recurrence may need chemotherapy,

biological therapy, or radiation therapy. (For more

information see the NCI booklets Radiation Therapy

and You and Chemotherapy and You.)

It’s important to ask your doctor questions about all your

treatment choices. You may want to get a second opinion

as well. You may also want to ask whether a clinical trial is an

option for you.

8

Should I Get A Second Opinion?

Some patients worry that doctors will be offended if they

ask for a second opinion. Usually the opposite is true.

Most doctors welcome a second opinion. And many

health insurance companies will pay for them. 

If you get a second opinion, the doctor may agree with

your first doctor’s treatment plan. Or the second doctor

may suggest another approach. Either way, you have

more information and perhaps a greater sense of

control. You can feel more confident about the decisions

you make, knowing that you’ve looked at your options.
Making Your Wishes Known

When cancer returns, the treatment goals may change, or

they may be the same as they were for your first cancer. But

for many people, it’s the second cancer diagnosis that finally

prompts them to make their wishes known. Although it can

be tough to think about, and maybe even tougher to talk

about, having recurrent cancer may prompt you to make

certain decisions about what you want done for you if you

are unable to speak for yourself. 

Everyone should make a will and talk about end-of-life

choices with loved ones. This is one of the most important

things you can do. Also, think about giving someone you

trust some rights to make medical decisions for you. You give

these rights through legal documents called advance

directives. These papers tell your loved ones and doctors

what to do if you can’t tell them yourself. They let you

decide ahead of time how you want to be treated. These

papers may include a living will and a durable power of

attorney for health care.

Setting up an advance directive is not the same as giving up.

Making such decisions at this time keeps you in control. You

are making your wishes known for all to follow. This can help

you worry less about the future and live each day to the fullest. 

It’s hard to talk about these issues. But it often comforts

family members to know what you want. And it saves them

from having to bring up the subject themselves. You may also

gain peace of mind. You are making these hard choices for

yourself instead of leaving them to your loved ones. 

Make copies of your advance directives. Give them to your

family members, your health care team, and your hospital

medical records department. That way, everyone will know

your decisions.

11

Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Nurse 

About Treatment Choices

Decide on the most important things you need to ask

your doctor or nurse. Some ideas:

■ What are my treatment choices?

■ Which do you suggest for me?

■ How is this treatment the same as or different

from my last treatment?

■ How successful is the treatment you recommend? 

Why is it best for me?

■ Will I still be able to do things I enjoy with the

treatment? Without the treatment?

■ How long will I be on this treatment?

■ Will I have side effects? If so, how long will 

they last?

■ How can I manage the side effects?

■ Will I have to stay in the hospital?

■ Is a clinical trial available to me?

■ Will I have to pay any costs in a clinical trial?

■ If the treatment doesn’t work, then what will I do?

10
CHAPTER 4

Managing the Side Effects 

of Your Treatment

You probably already know about ways to manage the side

effects of cancer treatment. If so, parts of this section will be

a review for you. It outlines some of the support therapies

cancer patients have found helpful.

For more information about side effects, see the NCI

booklets Radiation Therapy and You: A Guide to Self-Help 

During Cancer Treatments and Chemotherapy and You: A Guide 

to Self-Help During Cancer Treatments.

Comfort Care 

You have a right to comfort care both during and after

treatment. This kind of care is often called palliative 

(PAL-ee-yuh-tiv) care. It includes treating or preventing

cancer symptoms and the side effects caused by treatment.

Comfort care can also mean getting help with emotional and

spiritual problems during and after cancer treatment.

People once thought of palliative care as a way to comfort

those dying of cancer. Doctors now offer this care to all

cancer patients, beginning when the cancer is diagnosed.

You should receive palliative care through treatment,

survival, and advanced disease. Your oncologist may be able

to help you. But a palliative care specialist may be the best

person to treat some problems. Ask your doctor or nurse if

there is a specialist you can go to. 

13

Legal Papers At-A-Glance

Advance directives

■ A living will lets people know what kind of

medical care you want if you are unable to speak

for yourself.

■ A durable power of attorney for health care

names a person to make medical decisions for

you if you can’t make them yourself. This person

is called a health care proxy.

Other legal papers that are not part of the

advance directives

■ A will tells how you want to divide your money

and property among your heirs. (Heirs are

usually the family members who survive you. You

may also name other people as heirs in your will.)

■ A trust appoints a person you choose to manage

your money for you. 

■ Power of attorney appoints a person to make

financial decisions for you when you can’t make

them yourself.

Note: You do not always need a lawyer present to fill out

these papers. But you may need a notary public. Each state

has its own laws about advance directives. Check with your

lawyer or social worker about the laws in your state. (For

more, see the Resources on page 59.)

12
Pain Control

Having cancer doesn’t always mean that you’ll have pain. But

if you do, you shouldn’t accept pain as normal. Your doctor

can control pain with medicines and other treatments.

Managing your pain helps you sleep and eat better. It makes

it easier to enjoy your family and friends, and to focus on the

things you enjoy. 

Have regular talks with your health care team about your

pain. Let them know what kind of pain it is, where it is, and

how bad it is. These talks are important because pain can

change throughout your illness. And your pain may show

where cancer has returned after remission. Many hospitals

have doctors who are experts in treating pain. Tell your

doctor if you would like to talk to a pain specialist. 

Treatments can be used for all types of pain, including:

■ Mild to medium pain

■ Medium to very bad pain

■ Breakthrough pain

■ Tingling and burning pain

■ Pain caused by swelling.

There are different ways to take pain medicine, such as:

■ By mouth

■ Through the skin (with a patch)

■ By shots

■ Through an I.V. pump.

15

“For me personally, the challenge

is not to let the treatments get the

best of me. I make sure if I have

any new aches or pains I tell my

doctor right away. He’s great

about working with me to handle

these things.” —Edna
17

Your medicine, and how you take it, will depend on the type

of pain and its cause. For example, for constant pain you

may need a steady dose of medicine over a long period of

time. You might use a patch placed on the skin or a slowrelease pill. 

You may want to keep a pain diary to help you explain your

pain to your doctor. In the diary, write down:

■ The time of day you had the pain 

■ What you were doing when you felt the pain 

■ What it felt like 

■ Where you felt it. 

Your doctor may also ask you some questions about how your

pain affects your daily routine (see the box on page 17).

Having your pain managed means that you can focus on

living your life and not be distracted by pain.

To learn more, see the NCI booklet Pain Control: A Guide for

People With Cancer and Their Families.

16

Controlling Pain: 

What To Tell Your Doctor

When describing pain to your doctor, give as much detail

as you can. Your doctor may want to know:

■ Where exactly is your pain? Does it move from

one spot to another?

■ How does the pain feel—dull, sharp, burning?

■ How often do you have pain?

■ How long does it last?

■ Does it occur at a certain time of day—morning,

afternoon, night?

■ What makes the pain better? What makes it worse?

Using Strong Drugs To Control Pain

People with cancer often need strong medicine to help

control their pain. Don’t be afraid to ask for pain

medicine or for larger doses if you need them. And the

drugs will help you stay as comfortable as possible. 

People with cancer hardly ever get addicted to these

drugs. Sadly, fears of addiction sometimes prevent people

from taking medicine for pain. The same fears also

prompt family members to encourage loved ones to

“hold off” between doses. But people in pain get the

most relief when they take their medicines and

treatments on a regular schedule.
■ Biofeedback is the use of a special machine to help

the patient learn how to control certain body

functions. These are things that we are normally not

aware of (such as heart rate). 

■ Massage therapy brings relaxation and a sense of

well-being by the gentle rubbing of different body

parts or muscles. Before you try this, you need to

check with your doctor. Massage is not recommended

for some kinds of cancer. 

These methods may also help manage stress. Again, talk to

your health care team before using anything new, no matter

how safe it may seem. Ask your health care team for more

information about where to get these treatments. To learn

more, see the NCI booklet Thinking About Complementary and

Alternative Medicine: A Guide for People With Cancer.

Fatigue

Fatigue is more than feeling tired. Fatigue is exhaustion—

not being able to do even the small things you used to do. 

A number of things can cause fatigue. Besides cancer

treatment, they include anxiety, stress, and changes in your

diet or sleeping patterns. If you are having some of these

problems, you might want to:

■ Tell your doctor or nurse at your next visit. Ask about

medicines that can help with fatigue. 

■ Eat a well-balanced diet 

■ Plan your days and do only what is important to you 

■ Take short breaks every day to rest and relax 

■ Take naps

■ Ask others for help.

19

Other Ways To Treat Pain

Cancer pain is usually treated with medicine and other

therapies. But there are also some nondrug treatments. They

are types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Many people have found the methods listed below helpful.

But talk with your health care team before trying any of

them. Make sure they are safe and won’t interfere with your

cancer treatment. 

■ Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that

stimulates certain points on the body using small

needles. It may help treat nausea and control pain.

Before using acupuncture, ask your health care team

if it is safe for your type of cancer. 

■ Imagery is imagining scenes, pictures, or experiences

to feel calmer or perhaps to help the body to heal. 

■ Relaxation techniques include deep breathing and

exercises to relax your muscles. 

■ Hypnosis is a state of relaxed and focused attention.

One focuses on a certain feeling, idea, or suggestion. 

18
Nutrition

For some patients, it’s hard to eat the foods they normally

enjoy. For others, it’s hard to eat anything at all. Are you

having trouble eating or digesting food? If so, you may want to

talk with your doctor about your diet. They may suggest:

■ A special diet

■ Other ways of getting the nutrition you need

■ Tips on eating during treatment 

■ Seeing a dietitian.

For more information, see the NCI booklet Eating Hints for

Cancer Patients. 

Sleep Problems 

Illness, pain, stress, drugs, and being in the hospital can

cause sleep problems. These problems may include:

■ Having trouble falling asleep

■ Sleeping only for short amounts of time

■ Waking up in the middle of the night

■ Having trouble getting back to sleep.

21

Nausea and Vomiting 

Nausea is feeling sick to your stomach. Vomiting means

throwing up. Both can be a problem for cancer patients.

Untreated nausea and vomiting can make you feel very tired.

They can also make it hard to get treatments or to care for

yourself. There are many drugs to help you control nausea

and vomiting. Ask your doctor which medicines might work

best for you.

You also may want to make these changes to your diet: 

■ Eat small amounts of food five to six times a day.

■ Avoid foods that are sweet, fatty, salty, spicy, or 

have strong smells. These may make nausea and

vomiting worse.

■ Have as much liquid as possible. You’ll want to 

keep your body from getting too dry (dehydrated).

Broth, ice cream, water, juices, herb teas, and

watermelon are good choices.

20
Complementary and Alternative

Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment

can be helpful for some people. And some CAM treatments

are safe, such as those listed for pain on p. 18. But you may

have read about different diets, vitamins, and herbs for

treating your cancer or symptoms. Talk with your health care

team before you try anything new. Here’s why:

■ Some CAM treatments are not proven to work and

could actually harm you. 

■ You may have a dangerous reaction. Or the CAM

treatment could interfere with the medicine your

doctor has prescribed. 

■ A “natural” product doesn’t mean that it’s a safe

product.

Seek information about CAM treatments from trusted

sources. Federal agencies and nonprofit cancer groups are

good sources. You might also want to read the NCI booklet

Thinking About Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Guide

for People With Cancer.

23

To help with your sleep problem, you may want to try:

■ Reducing noise, dimming lights, making the room

warmer or cooler, and using pillows to support 

your body

■ Dressing in loose, soft clothing

■ Going to the bathroom before bed

■ Eating a high-protein snack 2 hours before bedtime

(such as peanut butter, cheese, nuts, or some sliced

chicken or turkey)

■ Avoiding caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, hot cocoa)

■ Keeping regular sleep hours

■ Avoiding naps longer than 15-30 minutes

■ Talking with your health care team about drugs to

help you sleep.

Physical Therapy

Sometimes people with cancer feel pain in different parts of

their body. Others feel weak and tired. And some feel stiffer

than they used to. So it can become hard to move different

body parts. If you are having any of these problems, your

health care team may suggest you see a physical therapist.

The therapist may use heat, cold, massage, pressure, or

exercises to help you. Physical therapy may reduce tiredness

and help your body function better. It may help with

strength and balance as well. It also may help with stiffness

and other side effects of radiation therapy.

22
CHAPTER 5

Your Feelings

People feel so many emotions when they find out that their

cancer has come back. Shock, fear, anger, and denial are just

a few. The new diagnosis hits them as hard as it did the first

time, or even harder.

Regardless of your first reaction, starting cancer treatment

again can place even more demands on your mind and

spirit. You’ll have good days and bad days. So just remember

that it’s okay to feel a lot of different emotions.

Some of these emotions may be ones you have had at other

times in your life. But you may be feeling them more intensely.

If you have dealt with them in the past, you may be able to

cope with them now, too. If some of the feelings are new, or

are so strong that it is hard to get through everyday activities,

you may want to ask for help.

There are many people who may be able to help you. These

include health psychologists, oncology social workers, other

mental health experts, and leaders in your faith or spiritual

community. They know many ways to help you cope with

your feelings. See the section on page 35 for other ideas on

how to cope.

25

“Life has changed again and 

I can't help feeling frustrated

with all that's going on. 

One minute I'll be upset and

angry. Then the next minute, 

I'll start crying all of a sudden. 

I just never know what's 

coming next.” —Kathy
In other words, cancer is becoming a disease that doctors

can manage. To help build your sense of hope:

■ Plan your days as you have always done.

■ Don’t limit the things you like to do just because you

have cancer.

■ Look for your own reasons to have hope. 

Gratitude 

“I do have a lot of bad days, but you know, I don’t talk

about those. I forget those. I think about all the good

things, and I have a lot of nice times when I’m with my

grandchildren, when I go to church, and when I’m with my

friends.” —Helen

Some people see their cancer coming back as a “wake-up

call.” They may realize the importance of enjoying the little

things in life. They go places they’ve never been. They finish

projects they had started but put aside. They spend more

time with friends and family. They mend broken

relationships.

It may be hard at first, but you can find joy in your life. Take

note of what makes you smile. Pay attention to the things

you do each day that you enjoy. They can be as simple as

drinking your morning coffee, sitting with a pet, or talking

to a friend. These small, day-to-day activities can give you

comfort and pleasure. 

You can also do things that are more meaningful to you.

Everyone has special things, both large and small, that bring

meaning to their life. For you, it may be visiting a garden in

27

Stress

“Once you get diagnosed again and go through more

surgeries or procedures, your life is not normal. It’s always

in the back of your mind. What now? What’s next?” 

—Margaret

Stress is a normal reaction to cancer. After all, you’re dealing

with a lot: treatment, family, your job, money, and day-to-day

living. Sometimes, you may not even notice that you are

stressed. But your family and friends probably see a change. 

Anything that makes you feel calm or relaxed may help. So

try to think of things that relax you and that you enjoy

doing. Some people try deep breathing, listening to tapes

that have nature sounds, or listening to music. See page 38

for more ideas on how to relieve stress.

Hope

“I just keep telling myself, ‘You’ve got to have hope, you’ve

got to have faith, because anything can happen.’” —Phil

While you may be sad or depressed about your cancer

recurrence, you do have reasons to feel hopeful. Science 

has advanced and cancer treatments have improved. So more

people are surviving cancer than ever before. Nearly 10

million people who have a history of cancer are alive today. 

26
Feeling anxious can be normal. But if it begins to disrupt your

daily life, tell a member of your health care team. They can

suggest someone for you to talk to. Or they can give you

medicines that will help. Some of the nondrug choices for pain

may work for your anxiety as well (see page 18).

“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it

with the handle of anxiety or with the handle of faith.” 

—Henry Ward Beecher

Fear

“Honestly, I feel scared about a lot of things. Things I try

not to think about. It comes and goes, but there always

seems to be something. Even when I am having good days,

the fear is always in the back of my mind. It never goes

away really.” —Deena

It’s normal to feel scared and worried. You may be afraid of

pain or other side effects, either from the cancer or the

treatment. You may worry about looking different as a result

of your treatment. You may worry about taking care of your

family, paying your bills, and keeping your job. You may be

afraid of dying.

It’s hard to deal with the fear of so many unknowns. Some

people say it helps if you know what to expect in the future.

Ask your health care team questions, so you can understand

more about your cancer and treatment choices. Also, update

your will and other legal papers, if you haven’t already done

so. Then you won’t have to worry about them. 

Fear can be overwhelming. Remember that others have felt

this way, too. It’s okay to ask for help.

29

your city or town. It may be praying in a certain chapel. Or it

could be playing golf or some other sport that you love.

Whatever you choose, embrace the things that bring you joy

when you can.

Anxiety 

“I just get myself worked up a lot. There are so many

things to deal with now. And I still have to deal with all

the things that were going on before I got sick again. How

am I going to get to the store before it closes? Has the dog

been fed? What about the report that’s due at work? 

I start to panic when I think of all the things on my plate.”

—Jing

Cancer takes a toll on both your body and your mind. You

are coping with so much now. You may feel overwhelmed.

Pain and medicines for pain can also make you feel anxious

or depressed. And you may be more likely to feel this way if

you have had these feelings before. 

Here are some signs of anxiety:

■ Feeling very tense and nervous

■ Racing heartbeat 

■ Sweating a lot

■ Trouble breathing or catching your breath

■ Having a lump in your throat or a knot in your

stomach

■ Feeling fear.

28
Signs of Depression

■ Feeling helpless or hopeless, or that life has no

meaning

■ No interest in family, friends, hobbies, or things

you used to enjoy

■ Loss of appetite

■ Feeling short-tempered and grouchy

■ Not being able to get certain thoughts out of

your mind

■ Crying for long periods of time or many times

each day

■ Thinking about hurting or killing yourself

■ Feeling “wired,” having racing thoughts or

panic attacks

■ Sleep problems, such as not being able to sleep,

having nightmares, or sleeping too much.

31

Sadness and Depression

“I feel sad a good bit of the time now. One thing that

cheers me up is to be with my 4-year-old grandson. I love

watching him as he grows more and more each day.

Sometimes just thinking about him makes me feel better.”

—Edmund 

Sadness is a normal response to any serious illness. You may

feel sad that you have to go through treatment again. You

may feel sad that life won’t be quite the same from now on. 

It’s okay to feel blue. You don’t need to be upbeat all the

time or pretend to be cheerful. Many people say that they

want the freedom to just give in to their feelings sometimes.

But others say that it helps to look for what is good in life,

even in the bad times. 

Depression can happen when sadness or despair seems to

take over your life. Some of the signs listed on the next page

are normal at a time like this. But if they last more than 2

weeks, talk to your doctor. Some symptoms could be due to

physical problems. This is why it’s important to let your

doctor know about them.

30
Guilt

“I am so tired all the time. I feel bad that my mom has to

take care of me and handle things for me like she did when

I was younger. I see everything she and Dad are dealing

with, yet there’s nothing I can do about it. I know they

hate the fact that I’m going through this. I try to do what 

I can, but I can’t stop feeling guilty for what they are 

going through, too.” —Anne 

It’s normal for some people to wonder whether they did

things that caused their cancer to recur. People feel guilty

for a number of reasons:

■ They worry about how their family and friends feel.

■ They envy other people’s good health and are

ashamed of this feeling. 

■ They blame themselves for certain lifestyle choices. 

■ They feel guilty that their first treatment didn’t work.

■ They wonder if they waited too long to go back to the

doctor. Or they fear that they didn’t follow the

doctor’s instructions the right way.

But it’s important to remember that the treatment failed you.

You didn’t fail the treatment. We can’t know why cancer returns

in some people and not others. So, it’s important for you to

try to: 

■ Focus on things worthy of your time and energy. 

■ Let go of any mistakes you think you may have made.

■ Forgive yourself.

33

Anger

“It challenged my faith... But I’ve come out of it okay. It

was tough in the beginning, trying to understand why God

would do this to me.” —Bob

You may also feel angry or frustrated. It’s normal to ask,

“Why me?” You may be mad at the cancer, your doctors, or

your loved ones. If you are religious, you might even be

angry with God. If you feel angry, it’s helpful to remember

that you don’t have to pretend that everything is okay.

Try to figure out why you are angry. Anger sometimes comes

from feelings that are hard to show. These might be fear,

panic, frustration, worry, or helplessness. 

It’s not always easy to look at what is causing your anger. But

it’s healthy to try. Being open and dealing with your anger may

help you let go of it. It’s also good to know that anger is a form

of energy. You can express this energy through exercise, art, or

even just hitting the bed with a pillow. 

32
Although it may be harder some days than others, remember

that you aren’t alone. Continue to do the things you’ve always

done as best you can. If you want to, tell people that you

don’t want to be alone and that you welcome their visits.

More than likely, your loved ones have feelings like yours.

They may feel isolated from you and lonely if they are unable

to talk with you. 

Denial

You may feel that this is not happening to you. It’s tough to

accept that the cancer has come back. Feeling that you need

more time to absorb everything is natural. You may need

more time to adjust to the news. But this can become a

serious problem if it lasts longer than it should. It can keep

you from getting the treatment you need or talking about

your treatment choices. As time passes, try to keep an open

mind. Listen to what others around you suggest for your care.

Ways You Can Cope

Your feelings will come and go, just like they always have. If

you have some strategies to deal with them, you have already

taken a step in the right direction. 

Know that many other people have been where you are.

Some do better when they join a support group. It helps

them to talk with others who are facing the same challenges.

You may prefer to join an online support group. That way

you can chat with people from home. Be sure to check the

privacy issues before you join.

If support groups don’t appeal to you, there are many experts

who are trained to give cancer support. These include

oncology social workers, psychologists or health psychologists,

counselors, or members of your faith or spiritual community.

For more information, see the Resources section on page 59. 

35

You may want to share these feelings with your loved ones.

Some people blame themselves for upsetting the people they

love or worry that they’ll be a burden to others. If you feel

this way, take comfort knowing that many family members

say that it is an honor and a privilege to care for their loved

one. Many consider it a time when they can share

experiences and become closer to one another. Others say

that caring for someone else makes them take life more

seriously and causes them to reevaluate their priorities. 

If you don’t feel that you can talk openly about these things

with your loved ones, getting counseling or joining a support

group may also help. Let your health care team know if you

would like to talk with someone about your feelings. 

Loneliness

“I have lots of people around me who care, but I still feel

like no one really understands.” —Carlos

You may feel lonely, even when lots of people support and

care for you. Here are some common feelings:

■ You feel like no one else understands what you’re

going through, even those you love and care about.

■ You feel distant from others. Or you find that your

family and friends have a hard time dealing with 

your cancer.

■ You realize that you aren’t able to take part in as

many events and activities as you used to. 

34
36

A Word About Support Groups

You may have heard about support groups in your area

for people with cancer. They can meet in person, by

phone, or over the Internet. They may help you gain new

insights into what’s happening, get ideas about how to

cope, and help you know that you’re not alone. 

In a support group, people may talk about their feelings

and what they have gone through. They may trade advice

and try to help others who are dealing with the same

kinds of issues. Some people like to go and just listen.

Others prefer not to join support groups at all. Some

people aren’t comfortable with this kind of sharing.

If you feel like you would enjoy outside support such as

this, but can’t get to a group in your area, try a support

group on the Internet. Some people with cancer say that

Web sites with support groups have helped them a lot. 

“What I need at least once or

twice a week is to talk to one or

a group of people who are in 

the same shoes as I am.” 

—Vince
39

Ways You

Can Cope

You may be able to

continue many of

your regular

activities, even

though some may

be more difficult

than before.

Whatever you do,

remember to

conserve your

strength for the

things you really

want to do. Don’t

plan too many

things for one day.

Also try to stagger

them during 

the day.

Here are some

things other people

with cancer say

have helped them

cope. As you can

see, even the little

things help!

38

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CHAPTER 6

Setting Goals 

Cancer treatment can take up a lot of your time and energy.

It helps to plan something that takes your mind off the

disease each day. Aim for small goals each day, such as:

■ Exercising

■ Completing tasks you’ve been wanting to do

■ Making phone calls

■ Having lunch with a friend

■ Reading one chapter of a book or doing a puzzle

■ Listening to music or a relaxation tape.

Many people with cancer also set longer-term goals. They say

that they do much better if they set goals or look forward to

something special. It could be an anniversary, the birth of a

child or grandchild, a wedding, a graduation, or a vacation.

But if you set a long-term goal, make sure you are realistic

about how you will achieve it. 

Remember, too, that being flexible is important. You may

have to change your plans if your energy level drops. You

may have to adjust your

goals if the cancer causes

new challenges. Whatever

your goals, try to spend

your time in a way that 

you enjoy.

41

“There are lots of things I still like

doing, but I know that I can’t do

them as well or as much. But that

doesn’t stop me from trying to

achieve them in a different way.”

—Sookie
CHAPTER 7

Family and Friends 

Your loved ones may need time to adjust to the news that

your cancer has returned. They need to come to terms with

their own feelings. These may include confusion, shock,

helplessness, anger, and other feelings. 

Let family members and friends know that they can offer

comfort just by:

■ Being themselves

■ Listening and not trying to solve problems

■ Being at ease with you.

Being able to comfort you can help them cope with their

feelings. 

Bear in mind that not everyone can handle the return of

cancer. Sometimes a friend or family member can’t face the

idea that you might not get better. Some people may not

know what to say or do for you. As a result, relationships may

change, but not because of you. They may change because

others can’t cope with their own feelings and pain. If you

can, remind your loved ones that you are still the same

person you always were. Let them know if it’s all right to ask

questions or tell you how they feel. Sometimes just

reminding them to be there for you is enough. 

It’s also okay if you don’t feel comfortable talking about your

cancer. Some topics are hard to talk about with people you

are close to. In this case, you may want to talk with a member

of your health care team or a trained counselor. You might

want to attend a support group where people meet to share

common concerns. 

43

“My father and I are so much

closer. It’s a totally different 

family than we were before I

was diagnosed. We’ve learned

how to talk about how we feel,

how to talk to each other about

what’s going on and what we’re

afraid of.” —Charles
■ Talk things over. This may be hard for you or your

spouse or partner. If so, ask a counselor or social

worker to talk with both of you together. 

■ Be realistic about demands. Your spouse or partner

may feel guilty about your illness. They may feel

guilty about any time spent away from you. They also

may be under stress due to changing family roles.

■ Spend some time apart. Your spouse or partner

needs time to address their own needs. If these needs

are neglected, your loved one may have less energy

and support to give. Remember, you didn’t spend 

24 hours a day together before you got sick.

■ Body changes and emotional concerns may affect

your sex life. Talking openly and honestly is key. But

if you can’t talk about these issues, you might want to

talk with a professional. Don’t be afraid to seek help

or advice if you need it. 

Children 

Keeping your children’s trust is very

important at this time. Children can

sense when things are wrong. So it’s

best to be as open as you can about

your cancer. They may worry that they

did something to cause the cancer.

They may be afraid that no one will

take care of them. They may also feel that you are not

spending as much time with them as you used to. Although

you can’t protect them from what they might feel, you can

prepare them for these feelings.

45

Family Meetings

Some families have trouble expressing their needs to each

other. Other families simply do not get along. If you don’t

feel comfortable talking with family members, ask a member

of your health care team to help. You could also ask a social

worker or other professional to hold a family meeting. This

may help family members feel that they can safely express

their feelings. It can also be a time for you and your family to

meet with your entire health care team to solve problems and

set goals. Although it can be very hard to talk about these

things, studies show that cancer care is a smoother process

when everyone remains open and talks about the issues. 

People Close to You

Often, talking with someone close to you is harder than

talking with anyone else. Here’s some advice on talking with

loved ones during tough times.

Spouses and Partners

■ Try as much as you can to keep your relationship as it

was before you got sick. 

44
■ Be clear and simple when you talk, since children can

focus only briefly. Use words they can understand.

■ Let them know they will be taken care of and loved.

■ Let them know that it’s okay to ask questions. Tell

them that you will answer them as honestly as you

can. In fact, children who aren’t told the truth about

an illness can become even more scared. They often

depend on their imagination and fears to explain the

changes around them.

Teenagers

Teenagers have some of the same needs as those of younger

children. They need to hear the truth about an illness. This

helps keep them from feeling needless guilt and stress. But

be aware that they may try to avoid the subject. They may

become angry, act out, or get into trouble as a way of coping.

Others simply withdraw. Try to: 

■ Give them the space they need. This is especially

important if you are relying on them more to help

with family needs. 

■ Give them time to deal with their feelings, alone or

with friends. 

■ Let them know that they should still go to school and

take part in sports and other fun activities.

If you have trouble explaining your cancer, you might want

to ask for help. A close friend, relative, healthcare worker, or

trusted coach or teacher could help answer your teenager’s

questions. Your support group, social worker, or doctor can

also help you find a counselor or psychologist.

47

Some children become clingy. Others get into trouble at

school or at home. It helps to keep the lines of communication

open. Try to:

■ Be honest. Tell them you are sick and that the

doctors are working to make you better.

■ Let them know that nothing they did or said caused

the cancer. And make sure that they know that they

can’t catch it from you.

■ Reassure them that you love them. 

■ Encourage them to talk about their feelings.

■ Tell them it’s okay to be upset, angry, or scared.

46

“My illness became a vehicle for teaching my children

lessons I’d want to teach them if I’d never been sick. Instead

of fighting or trying to hide all the challenges, I used them

to teach my kids the value of delayed gratification, how to

find hope when the chips are down, that you are the same

person inside even if your appearance changes, and that you

try your best and forgive yourself if things don’t go well. 

My treatments became a powerful way to say to my

children, ‘I love you and will do whatever I must to 

be with you.’” —Wendy Harpham, M.D., author of 

When a Parent Has Cancer: A Guide to Caring 

for Your Children
CHAPTER 8

Looking for Meaning

At different times in life, it’s natural for people to look for

meaning in their lives. And many people with recurrent

cancer find this search for meaning important. They want to

understand their purpose in life. They often reflect on what

they have gone through. Some look for a sense of peace or a

bond with others. Some seek to forgive themselves or others

for past actions. Some look for answers and strength through

religion or spirituality. 

Being spiritual means different things to different people.

It’s a very personal issue. Everyone has their own beliefs

about the meaning of life. Some people find it through

religion or faith. Some find it by teaching or through

volunteer work. Others find it in other ways. Having cancer

may cause you to think about what you believe—about God,

an afterlife, or the connections between living things. This

can bring a sense of peace, a lot of questions, or both. 

You may have already given a lot of thought to these issues.

Still, you might find comfort by exploring more deeply what

is meaningful to you. You could do this with someone close

to you, a member of your faith or spiritual community, a

counselor, or a trusted friend. Or

you may find that talking to others

at gatherings and services at places

of worship is helpful.

49

“It’s a roller coaster ride, so we just ride the roller coaster.

I’ve got the whole family prepared, and that’s what you

have to do when you have cancer. Things are going well

one minute, then change to really bad the next.” —Gwen

Adult Children

Your relationship with your adult children may change now

that you have cancer again. You may have to rely on them

more. And it may be hard for you to ask for support. After

all, you may be used to giving support rather than getting it.

Adult children have their concerns, too. They may start to

think about their own mortality. They may feel guilt, because

of the many demands on them as parents, children, and

employees. Some may live far away or have other duties.

They may feel bad that they can’t spend as much time with

you as they would like. Often it helps to:

■ Share decision-making with your children.

■ Involve them in issues that are important to you.

These may include treatment choices, plans for the

future, or activities that you want to continue. 

■ If they aren’t able to be there with you, keep them

updated on your progress.

■ Make the most of the time you have. Share your

feelings with them. 

Try to reach out to your adult children. Openly sharing your

feelings, goals, and wishes will help them adjust. It will also

help prevent problems in the future. Remember, just as

parents want the best for their children, children want the

best for their parents. They want to see your needs met

effectively and with compassion. Your children don’t want to

see you suffer.

48
Or you may just want to take time for yourself. You may want

to reflect on your experiences and relationships. Writing in a

journal or reading also helps some people find comfort and

meaning. Others find that prayer or meditation helps them.

Many people also find that cancer changes their values. 

The things you own and your daily duties may seem less

important. You may decide to spend more time with loved

ones or helping others. You may want to do more things

outdoors or learn something new. 

51

“I really struggled with my

diagnosis. I couldn’t understand

why I had to go through this one

more time. Although I wouldn’t

consider myself religious, I found

that prayer helped me. I began to

understand that I had a purpose

in life, and that the cancer was

just part of the plan.” —Bill
CHAPTER 9

A Time To Reflect

This is a hard time in your life. Living with cancer is tough,

especially when it has come back. You battled the disease

once, and now you must face it again. But you’re more

experienced this time around.

Use this knowledge to your advantage. Try to remember

what you did before to cope. Reflect on what you might have

done differently. By looking back in this way, the hope is that

you may find new strength. And that this strength can help

carry you through each day, and through the coming weeks

and months.

“Think only of today, and when tomorrow comes, it will be

today, and we will think about it.” —St. Francis de Sales

53

“I’ve been through this once, 

and I’ll get through it again. 

I just wish I didn’t have to, but

that’s the challenge before me.” 

—Janet
Clinical trial: A type of research study that tests new methods

of screening, prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of a

disease. Also called a clinical study.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): Treatment

used along with, or instead of, standard health care. CAM

includes methods such as acupuncture and massage. Some

CAM treatments may help relieve cancer symptoms or side

effects. But not all CAM treatments are safe. And they should

not take the place of standard health care.

Diagnosis (dye-ug-NOH-sis): The name and details of your

disease or health condition.

Dietitian (dy-uh-TIH-sun): A person with special training in

nutrition, who can help you with choices in your diet. They

also can suggest ways to make eating easier.

Distant cancer: Cancer that has spread from the primary

tumor to distant organs or lymph nodes.

Durable power of attorney for health care: This type of

advance directive appoints a person (a health care proxy) to

make medical decisions for you when you can’t make them

for yourself.

Health care proxy: The person you have named in an

advance directive to make medical decisions for you. This

person can make health care choices for you when you can’t

make them for yourself.

Health psychologist: A mental health professional who works

with people and families affected by illness.

Hypnosis: A state of relaxed and focused attention. The

person focuses on a certain feeling, idea, or suggestion. 

55

Words To Know

Acupuncture (AK-yoo-PUNK-cher): A form of Chinese

medicine that stimulates certain points on the body. It is

often done using thin needles. Before using acupuncture,

ask your health care team if it is safe for your type of cancer. 

Advance directives: Legal documents that allow you to

decide ahead of time how you want to be treated when you

are unable to speak for yourself. The two main types are

living wills and durable power of attorney for health care.

Biofeedback: Using a special machine, a person learns how

to control certain body functions. Examples of such body

functions are heart rate and blood pressure.

Biological (bye-uh-LAHJ-uh-kul) therapy: Treatment that

aims to use or restore the body’s own immune (defense)

system. It is used to fight cancer, infections, and other

diseases. It is also used to reduce the side effects that some

cancer treatments cause. Also called immunotherapy.

Breakthrough pain: Pain that is sudden and intense or that is

very painful for a short time. It can occur several times a day.

This can happen even when a person is taking the right dose

of pain medicine.

Cancer: A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide

out of control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and

spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to

other parts of the body.

Chemotherapy (kee-moh-THAIR-uh-pee): Treatment with

drugs that kill cancer cells.

54
Palliative (PAL-ee-yuh-tiv) care: Care to improve the quality of

life of people with a serious or life-threatening illness. The

goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat as early as possible:

■ Symptoms of the disease 

■ Side effects caused by treatment 

■ Psychological, social, and spiritual problems related

to the disease or its treatment.

Also called comfort care, supportive care, and symptom

management. 

Power of attorney: Appoints a person to make financial

decisions for you when you can’t make them yourself.

Radiation (ray-dee-AY-shun) therapy: Treatment with highenergy radiation to kill cancer cells.

Recurrence (ree-KUR-ens): Cancer that has come back after

a period of time during which it could not be found. The

cancer may come back to the same place as the original

tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrent

cancer.

Recurrent cancer: See “recurrence.”

Regional cancer: Cancer that has grown beyond the original

tumor to nearby lymph nodes or organs and tissues.

Relaxation techniques: Different methods, such as deep

breathing and relaxing the muscles, that are used to reduce

tension and anxiety and to control pain. 

57

Imagery: A method in which a person focuses on positive

images in their mind.

I.V.: Short for intravenous (in-truh-VEE-nus). It means to get

medicine or nutrients into the body through a vein.

Living will: A type of advance directive. A living will is a legal

document that lets people know what kind of medical care

you want if you are unable to speak for yourself.

Local cancer: Cancer that appears only in the organ where

the cancer began. It has not spread beyond the original site.

Lymph (limf) nodes: Small, bean-shaped organs that are part

of the lymphatic system. Bacteria or cancer cells that enter

the lymphatic system may be found in the nodes. Also called

lymph glands.

Massage therapy: Gentle rubbing of different body parts or

muscles to help you relax and gain a sense of well-being. 

Metastasis (meh-TASS-tuh-sis): The spread of cancer from

one part of the body to another. Cells that have metastasized

are like those in the original tumor.

Notary public: A person with authority from the courts to

witness legal documents and signatures.

Oncologist (ahn-KAH-luh-jist): A doctor who specializes in

treating cancer.

Oncology social worker: A social worker who specializes in

helping cancer patients and their families.

56
Resources*

Federal Resources

National Cancer Institute 

Provides current information on cancer prevention,

screening, diagnosis, treatment, genetics, and supportive

care. Lists clinical trials and specific cancer topics in NCI’s

Physician Data Query (PDQ®) database.

Visit: www.cancer.gov 

Cancer Information Service 

Answers questions about cancer, clinical trials, and

cancer-related services and helps users find information

on the NCI Web site. Provides NCI printed materials.

Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

TTY: 1-800-332-8615

Visit: www.cancer.gov/cis

Chat online: Click on “LiveHelp.”

Administration on Aging 

Provides information, assistance, individual counseling,

organization of support groups, caregiver training, respite

care, and supplemental services.

Phone: 1-202-619-0724

TTY: 1-800-877-8339

Visit: www.aoa.gov 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 

Provides information for consumers about patient rights,

prescription drugs, and health insurance issues, including

Medicare and Medicaid.

Toll-free: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Visit: www.medicare.gov (for Medicare information)

or www.cms.hhs.gov (other information)

59

Second opinion: When you go to another doctor after

getting a diagnosis. The second doctor looks at your test

results and examines you, just as the first one did. The

second doctor may or may not make the same diagnosis. 

And they may or may not recommend the same treatment.

Either way, you will have more information. This may help

you decide on your treatment.

Specialist: A doctor who has studied and trained in a certain

area of medicine.

Standard treatment: In medicine, treatment that experts

agree is appropriate, accepted, and widely used. Also called

standard of care or best practice.

Surgery (SER-juh-ree): A medical procedure that involves

entering or cutting into the body. Surgery is used to remove

or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is

present. 

Trust: This type of legal document appoints a person you

choose to manage your money for you. 

Tumor (TOO-mur): An abnormal mass of tissue.

Will: This type of legal document tells how you want to

divide your money and property among your heirs. 

58
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship 

Provides information on cancer support, employment,

financial and legal issues, advocacy, and related issues.

Phone: 1-877-NCCS YES (1-877-622-7937)

Visit: www.canceradvocacy.org

E-mail: info@canceradvocacy.org 

National Employment Lawyers Association 

Can help find a lawyer experienced in job discrimination cases.

Phone: 1-415-296-7629

Visit: www.nela.org

NeedyMeds – Indigent Patient Programs

Lists medicine assistance programs available from drug

companies. NOTE: Usually patients cannot apply directly to these

programs. Ask your doctor, nurse, or social worker to contact them.

Visit: www.needymeds.com

Patient Advocate Foundation 

Offers education, legal counseling, and referrals concerning

managed care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination,

and debt crisis matters.

Toll-free: 1-800-532-5274

Visit: www.patientadvocate.org

E-mail: help@patientadvocate.org 

The Wellness Community

Provides free psychological and emotional support to cancer

patients and their families.

Toll-free: 1-888-793-WELL (1-888-793-9355) 

Visit: www.wellness-community.org

61

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 

Provides fact sheets about job discrimination, protections

under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and employer

responsibilities. Coordinates investigations of employment

discrimination.

Toll-free/TTY: 1-800-669-6820

Visit: www.eeoc.gov

U.S. Department of Labor 

Office of Disability Employment Policy 

Provides fact sheets on a variety of disability issues, including

discrimination, workplace accommodation, and legal rights.

Phone: 202-376-6200

TTY: 202-376-6205

Visit: www.dol.gov/odep/ 

Private/NonProfit Organizations

American Cancer Society

National Cancer Information Center

Available to answer questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Toll-free: 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345)

Visit: www.cancer.org

CancerCare

Offers free support, information, financial assistance, and

practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones.

Toll-free: 1-800-813-HOPE (1-800-813-4673)

Visit: www.cancercare.org

Kids Konnected 

Offers education and support for children who have a

parent with cancer or who have lost a parent to cancer.

Toll-free: 1-800-899-2866 

Visit: www.kidskonnected.org 

60

* For a complete list of resources, see the fact sheet, “National

Organizations That Offer Services to People With Cancer and Their

Families” at www.cancer.gov, search terms “national organizations.” 

Or call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) to ask for it.
NIH Publication No. 05-2709

Revised August 2005

Printed August 2005