Managing Stress During Cancer Treatment

A cancer diagnosis can disrupt your life in many ways. Along with the physical toll, cancer treatment often brings intense emotional stress and uncertainty. Many people feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode.

If you're going through this, you're not alone — and there are simple things you can do that help. Managing stress is not about being perfect. It's about finding small ways to feel grounded, more in control, and more like yourself.

April Hirschberg, MD, a Mass General Brigham psychiatrist, and Rachel Millstein, PhD, a Mass General Brigham psychologist, are two experts from the Lifestyle Medicine Program at Mass General Cancer Center. They work closely with people going through cancer or in survivorship and understand the real-life challenges treatment brings. In this article, they share practical ways to ease stress and improve your well-being.

Why stress management matters during cancer treatment

Stress itself is not inherently good or bad. Some stress can help you perform better at many things in life. However, too much stress becomes distress, and that’s when things can feel out of control or become detrimental to your health.

“Distress is a normal reaction to an extreme situation, which cancer is,” says Dr. Millstein. “Our goal with stress management during treatment is to improve your quality of life.”

She explains that during cancer treatment, managing stress can:

• Give you a greater sense of control
• Help you maintain your energy level, which is critical for getting through treatment
• Reduce some of the side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea and pain

The types and layers of stress

“A new or ongoing diagnosis can cause multiple different kinds of stress,” says Dr. Hirschberg. “There are lots of ways stress can worsen physical symptoms, and your physical symptoms can also worsen your stress.” Cancer treatment isn’t just hard on the body — it’s hard on the mind too.

Stress during cancer treatment doesn’t look the same for everyone, but for most people, it’s more than just feeling “worried.” It can affect your entire body and your ability to function day to day.

The stress of cancer treatment can affect you in many ways:

• Emotionally: Anxiety, worry, sadness, grief about your health or loss of normal life, or feeling disconnected from yourself or others
• Mentally: Trouble focusing, forgetfulness, exhaustion from juggling appointments, or difficulty making decisions
• Physically: Fatigue, sleep problems, pain, digestive issues, or changes in appetite
• Socially: Feeling isolated or overwhelmed by interactions with others

Recognizing how stress shows up is the first step toward finding relief. “There are so many different layers of stress,” Dr. Hirschberg says. That’s why the Mass General Brigham team sees stress management as essential to whole-person cancer care.

Stress relief during cancer treatment

Stress during this time is natural, but when it builds up, it can affect how you feel each day and how you respond to treatment. That’s why learning to manage stress is part of your care.

When you’re dealing with cancer, it can feel like so much is out of your control. But small, everyday actions can make a real difference in how you feel. Stress relief isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about finding simple tools that work for you.

Here are some helpful ways to ease stress during treatment:

• Create comforting routines: Enjoy a daily ritual like mindfully drinking tea, listening to music, or journaling to add structure and peace to your day.
• Listen to your body: Rest and sleep when you need to.
• Move your body gently: With your care team’s approval, do gentle physical activity. Take a short walk, stretch, or follow an exercise video to release tension and boost your mood.
• Practice deep breathing or meditation: Even a few minutes of focused breathing can calm your thoughts and nervous system.
• Prioritize yourself: Don’t feel guilty for slowing down, taking care of yourself, and doing things that feel fun and enjoyable.
• Stay connected: Talk with a friend, join a support group, or reach out to someone you trust.
• Use mindfulness in small moments: Practice mindfulness by being present during simple activities like washing dishes or stepping outside. "Mindfulness simply means paying attention to the present moment nonjudgmentally," says Dr. Millstein.

You can start small. Even one small change or moment of peace can help you feel more grounded. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What matters is choosing what feels doable and supportive. “The most effective stress management strategy is the one that works for you,” says Dr. Hirschberg.

When to get extra support

Some stress during cancer treatment is expected, but you don’t have to manage it all on your own. Support comes in many forms and knowing what’s available can make a difference in how you feel and cope.

“Reaching out for support isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of courage,” says Dr. Millstein. She describes 5 types of support that can help you during treatment:

1. Emotional support: Talking with someone who listens, understands, and helps you process your feelings
2. Tangible support: Help with daily tasks like driving to appointments, picking up prescriptions, or making meals
3. Belonging support: Feeling connected to a group or community, such as a support group or spiritual group
4. Informational support: Access to trustworthy guidance from your care team or other expert sources, but avoiding the overwhelming nature of online information
5. Social support: Simply spending time with others who help you feel seen, relaxed, or like yourself again

At Mass General Brigham, your care team can connect you with the right support. Resources include behavioral health, supportive care, social work, and cancer-specific support groups.

Most cancer centers have many supportive resources, and you don’t have to wait for a crisis to ask for help. Support early on helps you feel stronger throughout your care.

“Remember that experiencing stress at this time is normal,” says Dr. Millstein. “You’re facing extraordinary challenges. Be gentle with yourself. There’s no right way to cope with cancer, and you may discover unexpected strengths within yourself during treatment.”