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Walking Beside You: Tips from an Oncology Social Worker for navigating a new cancer diagnosis

May 27, 2026

When someone hears the words “You have cancer” you can often feel like life is split into before and after. I have had the privilege and honor of walking with many patients as they try to navigate this new territory. With a new cancer diagnosis, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious. If you have just been diagnosed, I want you to first know that you are not alone even when there are times it may feel like you are. I also wanted to provide you with a few tips that may be helpful along the way.

Give yourself permission to feel all the feelings: There is no right or wrong way to handle the information of a new diagnosis. You will notice that you are feeling a range of emotions, anywhere from anger to sadness and everything in between. Any of these feelings are valid. You may find that your emotions shift quickly, which is normal for a life-changing diagnosis. Give yourself the space to acknowledge your feelings by talking with someone you trust, writing things down, or sitting with these feelings. If things start to feel too heavy, reach out to a mental health professional for a safe place to process these emotions.

Try to bring trusted people to your appointments: Navigating a diagnosis, especially at the beginning, can be a difficult challenge. Patients have even reported that once they have heard a doctor say “I’m sorry, but this is cancer” everything else coming out of their mouth sounds like the teacher from Charlie Brown. Having a trusted family member or friend come to first appointments and beyond can help with processing information and looking at things from a different perspective.

Ask and write down questions: No question is insignificant when it comes to your health. When questions pop up as you are researching, talking with friends and family, and thinking about your upcoming journey, take the time to write down these questions for upcoming appointments. Your oncology care team is there and should take the time to answer any lingering questions you may have.

Don’t try to take everything on at once, try to “digest” in bite sized pieces: You can’t map out the journey right away. Try to focus on the next appointment, the next decision, or just the next moment. This journey is not linear, and there is no perfect way to navigate it. Over time, the unfamiliar will become more routine and less daunting.

The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis can be as much as a physical one. Take time for self-care: Taking care of your body will look different now. You may notice that you don’t have the same physical or mental energy as before. Rest when your body asks for it, eat when you are up to it, and try to still incorporate doing things that you love if it feels manageable.

Reduce information overload: It is natural to want to research your diagnosis, but too much information, especially from unreliable sources, can increase your anxiety. Try to set boundaries around when and how you seek information and continue to rely on your care team for guidance. Giving your mind a break can be a meaningful form of self-care.

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