A diagnosis of cancer can also have a significant impact on a person’s family and friends. It’s likely that feelings will change or become more intense at different points in the cancer journey. Some people say their feelings are strongest when they’re first diagnosed. Others say their emotions hit them later when they have time to reflect on what has happened. For many people these feelings ease with time.

This section describes how a diagnosis of cancer can affect a person, their family, partner and children and provides information about how to access help and support.

People who are experiencing feelings that are overwhelming them or preventing them from sleeping or doing everyday activities should talk to a member of their healthcare team. Treatments and support are available and can help.

• Knowing whether what you’re feeling is ‘normal’
• After diagnosis
• What can help manage emotional changes
• Talking to people
• Antidepressants and cancer
• Anxiety and depression
• Cancer and self-confidence
• Hair loss
• Impact of diagnosis on family and friends
• Easing the way for family and friends
• Impact of diagnosis on children
• Sexuality, intimacy and cancer
• Effects on your sex life
• Regaining sexual confidence
• Impact of diagnosis on partners
• What you as a partner can do
• People in a same-sex relationship
• What if I don’t have a partner?