The researchers found that people who scored high on the pessimistic end of the scale had a 19 percent greater risk of dying than people who scored high on the optimistic side. Optimists also might be more likely to seek out medical or psychological interventions, and they have fewer tendencies toward self-blame. An Emotional Balancing Act Each person must work through, in his or her own way, feelings of possible death, fear, and isolation. Returning to normal routines as much as possible often helps. Cancer is not something anyone forgets.
Anxieties remain after active treatment ceases and the waiting stage begins.
A simple pain may be cause for panic. As six-month or annual checkups approach, you may swing between hope and anxiety. These are feelings we all share. No one expects you to forget that you have had cancer or that it might recur. Each individual must cope in their own personal way with the underlying insecurity of not knowing their true state of health.