Catherine, Princess of Wales, is gradually stepping back into public life after finishing her chemotherapy treatment earlier this year, but her latest appearance served as a powerful reminder that recovery doesn’t always end when treatment does.
During her visit to Colchester Hospital for the opening of its new Wellbeing Garden, she spoke candidly about the difficult phase that comes after cancer treatment — something many patients find just as emotionally taxing as the diagnosis itself.
“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” she said. “You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,” she added. “And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you, and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable.”
Kate also described recovery as “a roller coaster,” adding, “It’s not smooth, like you expect it to be. But the reality is you go through hard times.”
Her comments highlight the emotional and physical void many people face once medical treatment ends — when the support system begins to thin, but the challenges are far from over.
So, why do many cancer survivors struggle emotionally and physically after treatment ends, even though the most intensive phase of care is over?
Dr Mandeep Singh, chief oncologist at Art of Healing Cancer, tells indianexpress.com, “Cancer patients have a very, very tough time. Even when treatment ends, there is still a great deal of physical and emotional trauma they go through.”
For example, he notes that in patients with breast or oral cancer, there can be changes in body habitus or body dysmorphism — loss of a breast or part of the jawbone — which has a huge psychological impact. “In addition, cancer treatment often causes changes to the skin, discolouration due to chemotherapy and radiation, nail damage, and hair loss. Even when the hair grows back, its quality is often poor. These visible reminders can have a lasting emotional toll, making it hard for survivors to move on.”
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Cancer itself leads to weight loss and loss of energy, which Dr Singh says is a condition known as cancer cachexia. “Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can suppress appetite, alter taste, and cause difficulty in eating.”
Cognitive side effects — often referred to as “chemo brain” — include memory issues, lack of focus, and reduced attention span. “On top of all this, there is the ever-present fear of recurrence. Every time they have a follow-up visit or a scan every 3 or 6 months, it creates intense anxiety. This constant fear adds to their emotional struggle even after treatment has ended,” notes the doctor.
What type of support is most beneficial for patients navigating the post-treatment phase?
According to Dr Singh, we should plan cancer treatment thoughtfully and holistically. If we can preserve vital organs without compromising life, that should be a priority. Additionally, accurate prognostication and risk assessment before and after treatment can significantly help reduce the constant fear of recurrence.
He states, “We must also focus on rehabilitation — physical, emotional, and nutritional. For instance, breast cancer survivors often experience arm pain or swelling; here, tailor-made exercises can help. Head and neck cancer patients benefit greatly from speech therapy and swallowing exercises, which can restore function and provide a psychological boost.”
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Complementary therapies like Ayurveda, superfoods, and nutritional support can aid recovery. Support groups, emotional treatment, and cancer-specific rehabilitation programmes are equally crucial. Regular exercise and mindfulness practices can make a significant difference.