Why You May Still Feel Anxious After Cancer (Even When You are "Clear")
- joannafwinn
- May 27, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 5
So, you’ve finished treatment.You’ve heard the words you were waiting for — “everything looks good” or “you’re clear.”
And now... you're supposed to feel relief, right?
But instead, you feel anxious.
Every ache makes your heart race.You catch yourself holding your breath before appointments.You want to move on, but part of you feels like it's still stuck somewhere back in the middle of it all.
If this is you — you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not failing.
This Is the Bit No One Warns You About
During treatment, it’s all about getting through it. There’s a plan. You’ve got appointments, tests, people checking in. You’re in survival mode, and weirdly… that can feel safer.
Then suddenly, it stops.
And even though you’re technically “done,” it can feel like you’re just starting to feel everything you didn’t have time or space to feel before.
So many women tell me:
“I thought I’d be celebrating, but I just feel flat.”
“I don’t know who I am anymore.”
“I’m scared all the time but I don’t want to worry my family.”
This is the messy, quiet part of recovery. And it’s so common.
Post-Cancer Anxiety Is Real — and It Makes Sense
Even if you were calm on the outside, your body and mind have been in a heightened state for months. Possibly years.
When the noise settles, the nervous system finally speaks — and often, it’s saying “I’m not okay yet.”
That can show up as:
Fear of recurrence that creeps in out of nowhere
Scanxiety before appointments
A general sense of unease you can’t explain
Trouble sleeping or feeling on edge
That voice in your head that says, “What if it comes back?”
You Don’t Have to Push Through This Alone
You deserve support for this part — the bit after treatment where everything is supposed to go back to normal but doesn’t.
That’s exactly why I created my Navigating Life After Treatment program.
It’s six weeks of 1:1 support, just for you — to:
Unpack everything you’ve been holding
Gently work with anxiety and fear
Rebuild routines and self-trust
And feel more grounded and in control again
No pressure. No fixing. Just space to breathe, reflect, and feel supported.
If You’re Nodding Along…
This might be your sign to take care of yourself emotionally — not just physically.
To finally stop holding your breath.
To stop trying to figure it all out in your head.
Book your first session below or feel free to message me if you’re not quite sure yet — I’m happy to chat.
One Last Thing
Just because you're "clear" doesn’t mean you have to be okay all the time.
Healing isn’t a finish line — it's a process.
And it’s okay if you're still finding your way.
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