Worried your cancer will come back? What helps with fear of recurrence

Feeling afraid that cancer might come back is very common after treatment, and it can feel especially strong around symptoms, scans, anniversaries or other reminders.Blending lived experience with expert insight, Steph speaks with Tabitha Luxmoore-Styles about her experience of living with fear of recurrence, alongside Dr Lidia Schapira, medical oncologist and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, who shares why fear of recurrence is so common after treatment, why fear can feel stronger after treatment ends, and some practical tools you can use when the worry feels overwhelming.We talk about:common triggers, including symptoms, scans, anniversaries and external reminders such as news stories or other people’s diagnoseshow to manage spiralling “what if it’s back?” thoughts in the momentwhat can help when every ache or pain starts to feel loaded with meaningliving with uncertainty and finding ways for fear to take up less space in your day-to-day lifehow to talk to your doctor or healthcare team when you feel overwhelmed by worrywhen fear of recurrence may need extra support, such as therapy, groups or specialist inputWhether this is something you’re navigating yourself or you’re supporting someone you care about, this is a conversation many people recognise, even if it’s not always talked about out loud.Useful linksYou can find practical tools, exercises, and further support related to this episode here: https://www.life-aftercancer.co.uk/fe...DisclaimerThe information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have any concerns about your health or notice any new or worsening symptoms, please contact your GP or your medical team. Some of the research and evidence mentioned in this episode reflects the speaker’s academic and clinical work. Research, studies, and evidence mentioned throughout this episode can be found on our website: https://www.life-aftercancer.co.uk/fe...Some references are linked to the speaker’s academic and clinical work, and we may continue to add further sources and reading over time.Connect with usWebsite: life-aftercancer.co.ukInstagram: @life_aftercancerLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/life-after-cancerTimestamps00:00 - Introduction00:49 - Why fear of cancer recurrence can feel overwhelming03:01 - Why fear often increases after treatment ends06:21 - Common triggers including scans, symptoms and anniversaries07:43 - How to manage fear when worry starts spiralling13:31 - How to think about recurrence statistics18:17 - Does worrying protect us in any way?19:42 - When fear starts affecting quality of life21:37 - Feeling unsafe in your own body after cancer32:52 - What research shows can help34:41 - Learning to live with uncertainty38:17 - What genuinely helped with fear of recurrence41:26 - Advice for someone in their first year after treatment44:36 - Why fear of recurrence needs to be talked about more47:13 - Quick fire round and practical tools