How to prioritise recovery after cancer treatment

Kate Ng
·Trending Lifestyle Reporter
·4 min read
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Giving yourself time to rest and recover after cancer treatment is important. (Getty Images)

Each person who gets diagnosed with cancer, no matter what type or stage, has a different journey with it. When that journey includes recovery after treatment, many patients find themselves raring to get back to normal life - but it isn’t always that simple.

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden is still on her own path to recovery. The professional dancer, who finished her last round of chemotherapy for stage three breast cancer in November 2023, was recently rushed to hospital after collapsing.

Dowden, 34, who was paired with JLS star JB Gill for the current series of Strictly, missed filming Sunday’s pre-recorded results show, but her representative says she is “feeling much better” now.

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Amy Dowden, who is partnered with JB Gill on Strictly Come Dancing this year, had to be rushed to hospital. (Strictly Come Dancing/BBC)

There is no set amount of time for recovery after cancer treatment, as it depends on the patient’s cancer type, treatments and general health.

However, it’s important not to rush into things. Giving yourself time to rest and recover is essential to getting back to the important things in your life.

Here’s what the experts say about prioritising recovery after cancer treatment:

Following treatment, many patients will go through a period of change and find out what their ‘new normal’ is. It’s important to "give yourself time to discover and adjust to what this means for you", says MacMillan Cancer Support.

"Try not to expect too much of yourself too soon. Recovery is a gradual process and can have ups and downs. Some days you may feel better than others. You will need time to recover your physical strength."

The "rule of thumb" for recovery time, according to oncologist Dr Shelby Terstriep of Sanford Health in the US, is that "it takes about two months of recovery time for every one month of treatment before energy will return to baseline".

Oncology nurse checking the vital signs of a chemotherapy patient at the hospital – cancer treatment concepts
Cancer treatment can be very hard on the body and recovery can take longer than many people may think. (Getty Images)

"Everyone is different but at least this gives you a ballpark. This is a lot longer than most people assume," she wrote.

Dr Terstriep added that cancer-related fatigue is the thing people recovering from treatment struggle with the most. This can be caused by:

  • Low blood counts

  • Loss of muscle

  • Chronic stress response

  • Inflammation

  • Disrupted sleep

  • Hormonal changes

  • Cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgery

  • Medications like antidepressants, nausea and pain medications

It is normal to feel very tired when treatment finishes, and the fatigue can last for weeks or months afterwards, according to MacMillan.

To help manage tiredness, the organisation suggests:

  • Spreading chores over the week and do not be afraid to ask for help

  • Plan your day - pace yourself so you have time to do the things you want

  • Try and keep to a regular sleep routine

  • Do some gentle exercise

You can also ask your cancer team or GP for a blood test if your energy levels do not improve to check for other possible causes, such as anaemia.

Day in a life of cancer survivor - Mid-adult Caucasian woman fought lymph nodes cancer and finished series of chemotherapies with visibly burnt skin around neck and head, falling hair and dry skin.
Eating a balanced diet after cancer treatment is essential. (Getty Images)

You may find your weight has fluctuated after cancer treatment, or that you can’t eat the same foods as you did before. Eating a balanced diet is important to help you feel physically and emotionally well.

Bowel Cancer UK recommends following the NHS Eatwell Guide, which shows how much of each food type to include in your diet. However, you may need to make adjustments to meet your specific needs during and after treatment.

A balanced diet includes:

  • Eating at least five portions of fruits and vegetables each day

  • Eat more wholegrain variety carbohydrates

  • Eat lean protein

  • Include lower-fat dairy or non-dairy alternatives

  • Cut down on saturated fats and sugar

  • Drink six to eight glasses of fluid a day

Eating certain foods can also help you recover from surgery more quickly. This includes foods high in proteins, while fibre-rich carbohydrates can give you more energy.

Read more about cancer treatment and recovery:

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