Physical effects of emotions

Our feelings in turn can affect our levels of energy, sexual desire, ability to sleep or our appetite. Some of these physical effects are more likely to affect the person diagnosed with cancer, while others may have an impact on their family and friends as well. How long these effects last will vary from person to person.

Fatigue (extreme tiredness) Back to top

Fatigue| is an overwhelming feeling of tiredness or exhaustion. It can be a side effect of cancer or its treatments. It’s also very common in people who are anxious or depressed. If your tiredness is due to anxiety or depression, some of the ideas listed in our self-help| section may help.

 

Loss of appetite Back to top

Cancer and its treatments can cause a loss of appetite|. However, you can also lose your appetite if you’re anxious or depressed. This in turn may make you lose weight. Some people just don’t feel hungry, or they feel full soon after starting a meal. Others find that food makes them feel sick or they notice a change in the taste of some foods. Some of the following suggestions may help improve your appetite:

• If you can’t face big meals, eat little amounts as often as possible.
• Try to make your food look as attractive as possible.
• An aperitif such as sherry or brandy half an hour before a meal can be a good way of stimulating your appetite. Some people find a glass of wine with their meals helps their digestion. Check with your doctor that you can have alcohol.
• Keep snacks handy to nibble, such as nuts, crisps or dried fruit.
• Eat cold food if the smell of hot food makes you feel sick.
• Try to eat your meals in a room where you feel relaxed and where there aren’t any distractions.

We have more information eating problems and cancer| that gives helpful advice on how to cope.

Loss of interest in sex Back to top

You may notice that your interest in sex decreases as a result of cancer or its treatment. You may also lose interest in sex if you’re depressed. People are often reluctant to talk about this very intimate area of their lives, but it can help to talk to your partner about how you feel. It may help you both feel more secure if you explain that your lack of interest is not a sign of lack of affection. You may need to focus more on sensuality than sexuality at this time. Using touch can be an important way of telling someone how you feel. It can help you communicate emotions that are not easily expressed in words.

Cancer and its treatments can affect your sexual identity, whether or not you’re in a relationship. Treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy may lead to physical changes that affect your body image (the way you feel about your body). Other aspects of treatment may leave you feeling sexually unattractive or uninterested in sex.

These are very natural and understandable feelings. If you have trouble coping, you may find it helpful to discuss your feelings with a trained counsellor.

The charity Relate| provides relationship counselling and offers support by phone and online.

You can also discuss problems with your GP, cancer specialist or clinical nurse specialist, if you feel comfortable doing so.

Or you may want to call our cancer support specialists| if you would prefer to speak to someone over the phone.

You may find our section on Sexuality and cancer| helpful. It also includes videos with information from medical professionals, as well as people discussing their experiences.

Pain Back to top

Emotions such as anxiety and depression can make you more sensitive to pain|. This means that pain can be harder to bear. Dealing with your emotions or treating the depression can help reduce your pain, as well as improve your mood. Your doctor or nurse can help you manage both physical and emotional pain.

Sleep problems Back to top

Many people have trouble sleeping at some point in their life. If you’re affected by cancer, you may find it difficult to sleep because of general anxiety, worry about treatment or fears about the future. Some of these suggestions may help you get a better night’s sleep:

• Try to establish a regular routine at bedtime and get up and go to bed at the same time each day.
• Avoid sleeping during the day if you can.
• Gentle exercise before you go to bed may help you sleep.
• Avoid caffeinated tea, coffee or cocoa just before you go to bed. Try a warm, milky, decaffeinated drink instead.
• Have a warm bath with a few drops of lavender oil to soothe you, or sprinkle a couple of drops on your pillow.
• If you can’t sleep or wake up early, don’t try so hard to sleep. Instead, try to relax and rest your body.
• If you find yourself lying awake and feeling anxious, it may help to go to another room for a while and do something else. You could listen to music or the radio, watch TV or a DVD, or read a book.
• It’s fine to spend some time reading in bed before you fall asleep, but try to keep the bed as a place to sleep.
• Make sure you have a comfortable bed.
• If streetlights or early morning sunlight affect your sleep, make sure you have thick curtains or blinds, or use an eye mask.
• If it’s very noisy, try using ear plugs.
• Relaxation CDs, tapes or podcasts can also be very useful for helping you get to sleep.

We have more information on difficulty sleeping (insomnia)|, which you might find helpful.