Anxiety
Anxiety may make coping with cancer treatment more difficult and may also interfere with your ability to make choices about your care.
Anxiety is a common symptom among people with cancer.2 According to Cancer.net, anxiety may be described as feeling nervous, "on edge" or worried. A normal emotion, it alerts your body to respond to a threat. However, intense and prolonged anxiety is a disorder which may interfere with your daily activities and relationships. Anxiety may make coping with cancer treatment more difficult and may also interfere with your ability to make choices about your care. Therefore, identifying and managing anxiety are important parts of cancer treatment.3
Highlighted VideoAuthor, clinical professor and BCCT advisor Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, demonstrates a breathing technique to help lower anxiety. |
Managing Anxiety
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Managing Fear of Cancer RecurrenceA pilot study found that acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) reduced fear of recurrence among breast cancer survivors better than survivorship education or a 30‐minute group coaching session with survivorship readings.5 See the ACT website, which includes a link to find an ACT therapist. |
The Society for Integrative Oncology evidence-based clinical practice guidelines cite the following complementary approaches as being useful in an integrative plan to manage anxiety:6
- Mind-body approaches including these:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Hypnosis
- Meditation
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
- Music therapy
- Relaxation training
- Supportive/expressive therapy stress management
- Support groups
- Yoga
- Massage from a trained massage therapist
- Nature immersion, such as forest bathing
- Therapies based on a philosophy of bioenergy fields, such as these:
Some natural products can impact anxiety and stress levels. A 2017 review reported these conclusions:7
- Supplementation with essential fatty acids (linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid) reduced perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels, with effects dependent on hormone status and whether depression was also evident
- Vitamin B6 supplements, sometimes combined with magnesium, reduced anxiety in some women for conditions other than cancer.
- High-dose sustained-release vitamin C supplements reduced anxiety and blood pressure in response to stress.8
Medical cannabis is reputed by some to reduce anxiety, although a 2018 review found insufficient evidence to support this use.9 In fact, for some, cannabis can increase feelings of uneasiness or anxiety, especially the strains that are higher in THC.
In addition to complementary therapies, consider seeing a professional such as a therapist, oncology social worker or oncology navigator to help you explore your stressful situation and identify an approach that is right for you.
Integrative Programs, Protocols and Medical Systems
For more information about programs and protocols, see our Integrative Programs and Protocols page. |
- Programs and protocols
- Traditional systems
Commentary
Laura Pole, RN, OCNS, October 18, 2018: Ruth Hennig, a two-time breast cancer survivor and member of the BCCT team, has written blog posts describing her experience using acupuncture and other complementary approaches to bolster her resilience during treatment and tame her anxiety upon learning the breast cancer had recurred. Her tips and insights for taking care of herself after a double mastectomy are simple and practical, and they may be incredibly valuable for others having a mastectomy. See her posts in the Our Blog box below.
Written by Laura Pole, RN, MSN, OCNS, and Nancy Hepp, MS; most recent update on December 18, 2020.
More Information
- Cancer.net: Anxiety
- SIO clinical practice guidelines:
- Deng GE, Frenkel M et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology: complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2009 Summer;7(3):85-120.
- Deng GE, Rausch SM et al. Complementary therapies and integrative medicine in lung cancer: diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2013 May;143(5 Suppl):e420S-e436S.
- Greenlee H, DuPont-Reyes MJ et al. Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2017 May 6;67(3):194-232.
- Psychedelic Support
- Dr. Cynthia Li: Brave New Medicine
- Gurdev Parmar and Tina Kaczor: Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology
- Helpsy Inc.: Helpsy Health
- Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine: Breast Cancer: An Integrative Approach (2019-2021)
- Block KI, Block PB, Gyllenhaal C: Integrative Treatment for Colorectal Cancer
- Integrative Cancer Review
- Martin L. Rossman, MD: Fighting Cancer from Within
- Belleruth Naparstek: Guided Meditations to Promote Successful Surgery
- Mala Cunningham, PhD: Before and After Surgery
- September 2018 Issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- Wayne Jonas, MD: Your Healing Journey: A Patient’s Guide to Integrative Breast Cancer Care
- Donald I. Abrams, MD, and Andrew T. Weil, MD: Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition
- Ted Schettler, MD, MPH: The Ecology of Breast Cancer: The Promise of Prevention and the Hope for Healing
- Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, and Karolyn Gazella: The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition
- Keith I. Block, MD: Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment
- Fang Fu, Huaijuan Zhao, Feng Tong, and Iris Chi: A Systematic Review of Psychosocial Interventions to Cancer Caregivers
- Michael Lerner: Choices In Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer
- Martin L. Rossman, MD: Fighting Cancer
- Martin L. Rossman, MD: The Healing Mind
Related Pages
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Our Blog
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- One dose of 'magic mushroom' drug reduces anxiety and depression in cancer patients, study says
- Acceptance-and-Commitment Therapy may reduce fear of cancer recurrence
- St. Louis Symphony lowers blood pressure, eases chemo