Post-traumatic Growth and Cancer

Common post-traumatic growth changes

Here are some of the most common post-traumatic growth changes that people who have, or had, cancer describe experiencing:

Deeper connections to others

Going through cancer can have a major impact on your relationships. Some people grow closer, while others grow apart. Many people report wanting deeper or more meaningful connections with others.

Shifting priorities

A cancer diagnosis may shift your priorities and change what you view as most important. Some people make major life choices, such as changing their job or taking a chance on something they were afraid to try before.

Greater appreciation and awe

Some people say they value life more and feel more aware of the beauty and joy around them. This awareness may help you appreciate the world in new ways.

Increased sense of personal strength

Some people report feeling like they are a stronger person because of their experience with cancer. This can also help you feel more confident and treat yourself with greater compassion.

Spiritual or religious growth

It’s common for people to seek spiritual growth during or after cancer treatment. For some people, their religious beliefs are connected to their spirituality. Religious beliefs and spirituality are related, but not the same.

Spirituality often refers to a person’s internal search for meaning, purpose, or connection to something greater than themselves. Religion often refers to organized beliefs related to a specific faith or religion.

Both religion and spirituality might include ideas such as the spirit, soul, or greater meaning and connection to something larger. Someone might consider themselves spiritual, religious, or both.

Does everyone go through PTG after cancer?

Post-traumatic growth, like post-traumatic stress, is not something everyone experiences. PTG doesn’t mean “getting over” or “moving past” cancer. Growth and grief can and often do happen at the same time. Each person experiences PTG differently. And it’s okay if you don’t go through the “common” growth changes listed here, or if your growth looks different than what you hear from other survivors.

Why is it important to process your trauma?

Processing your trauma after cancer is about more than just personal growth. Not processing trauma can affect your nervous system, too. The nervous system is often referred to as our unconscious “flight or fight” and “rest and digest” responses.

Fight or flight refers to your sympathetic nervous system, which is controlled by your brain. When you feel stressed, your fight or flight response is triggered automatically. You might notice your heart rate gets fast or your stomach hurts.

The rest and digest response refers to times when you feel calm or relaxed. Rest and digest helps you conserve mental and physical energy.

Most people go back and forth between “fight or flight” and “rest and digest” throughout the day. Both of these responses are important.

But if your nervous system gets of out of balance (dysregulated), certain parts of your brain can get smaller, larger, and more (or less) reactive to stress. When this happens, your body doesn’t get the rest it needs. Or, you might stay in rest and digest when you are faced with a real threat.  A dysregulated nervous system affects your ability to cope or heal after trauma.

Learning to regulate your nervous system after trauma

Here are some activities that have been shown to support a healthy nervous system. Practicing these can help you balance your nervous system after experiencing cancer or another trauma.

Mind-body practices

Mind-body practices such as meditation and yoga have been shown to support a healthy nervous system.

Grounding techniques

Grounding techniques can help if you feel like you are stuck in fight or flight. These are often simple activities that connect you to one or more of your senses (things you can touch, see, hear, smell, or taste).

Talking to a therapist

Finding a therapist can help, especially one who has experience with cancer survivors or other survivors of trauma. They are specially trained and can help guide you if you aren’t sure how or where to start healing.

Certain types of therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have been shown to help people process trauma.

Learn more about coping with mental distress and resources for support.

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