Navigating Fear of Cancer Recurrence: Practical Strategies for life after cancer treatment.

If you’re struggling with Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) after finishing treatment, you’re not alone.

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the most common concerns for cancer survivors, affecting daily life, work, mood, and overall wellbeing.

In this video, Dr. Anna Cartwright (Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist, King’s College London) summarises some key points from our Fear of Cancer Recurrence workshop.

The video covers:

• An overview of fear of recurrence

• How to manage uncertainty

• Focusing on what you can control

• Using the Cognitive Behavioural Model (CBT) to understand the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours

• Practical strategies to reduce fear and anxiety

• Helpful resources

Dr. Anna Cartwright's key takeaway:

"This is a difficult one, because everyone is different! If I had to give one thing, I'd say support. Whether that's being kind and compassionate to yourself and validating that fear of recurrence is an understandable response to cancer; reaching out to friends, family and others within the cancer community; and/or seeking professional support to help manage fears of cancer recurrence. I think it's really important that people know they are not alone."

Further reading and resources:

• NHS cancer care

• Life after Cancer

• Maggies

• Macmillan Cancer Support

• You, me, Big C Podcast- Fear of recurrence episode

• Black Women Rising

• NHS talking therapies

• Dr Anna Cartwright

You can also read more about managing fear of cancer recurrence on our blog post.

---

About Our Expert: Dr Anna Cartwright, MA(Oxon), MSc, DClinPsy, is a Clinical Psychologist and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. Since completing her Doctorate training, she has worked in NHS posts across a range of physical healthcare settings alongside lecturing and research roles. She now works at King’s College London as a PhD Fellow, where her research focusses on understanding the psychological mechanisms that maintain fear of cancer recurrence in people living beyond breast cancer.

For more expert workshops to help you navigate life after cancer treatment, check out the Life after Cancer events page.