Your Parents

A cancer diagnosis often causes roles and responsibilities within a family to change. Your increased emotional and physical needs during treatment may make you temporarily more dependent on your parents. Once treatment ends, you may expect your parents to resume their old roles as you return to a more independent lifestyle.

Your parents, on the other hand, may have ongoing worries that make them uncomfortable with your need for independence. This is normal. Talk openly with your parents about their concerns and the impact on you. Some of their fears may seem irrational, but remember that your illness has also profoundly affected them. Your self-esteem, confidence and good decisions may ease their worries.

Cancer may have a completely different meaning to you than to your parents. At the end of treatment, both parties may feel anxiety in separating from your medical team, but it may be even more difficult for your parents than for you. You may need to remind them that although cancer is still a part of your life, it's important for you to return to, or develop your own support system outside the cancer community. This doesn't mean you are breaking all ties, but rather that you are choosing the role cancer will play in your future.