“You Have to Find Your New Normal” - Princess of Wales Opens Up About Life After Cancer Treatment

Today, the Princess of Wales spoke openly and powerfully about the ongoing challenges of life after cancer treatment, something we resonate with deeply at Life after Cancer.

In her first public engagement since January, Catherine visited a wellbeing garden at Colchester Hospital and shared what many people affected by cancer know too well: that the hardest part often begins after treatment ends.

"You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment… but actually the phase afterwards is really difficult," she said. "You're not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you're not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to." - Catherine, Princess of Wales.

This is a reality we hear time and time again from our Life after Cancer community. Once active treatment ends, the outside world assumes you’re “better” or “back to normal” but inside, you may feel lost, low, anxious, or exhausted.

As Catherine said, the experience is life-changing, not just for the person diagnosed, but for their families too.

Princess Catherine’s right - Life after cancer is really difficult.

Here are 5 things that can help you navigate life after cancer treatment:

1. Give yourself time to recover - Someone once told us their consultant said: “Take the same amount of time for recovery as you did for treatment.” That really stuck with us. Recovery takes time, emotionally, physically and mentally. But no one really tells you that.

2. Give yourself permission not to have it all figured out - We can be so hard on ourselves. Self-compassion matters. Try speaking to yourself the way you would speak to a good friend.

3. Build small daily habits that support your energy and wellbeing - Maybe a short walk, a few minutes of journaling, or simply some time to yourself. Ask yourself: What makes me feel good? What gives me energy? Write it all down and try to do more of those things.

4. Connect with others who’ve been there - You don’t have to go through this alone. We hear time and time again that speaking to others who’ve had cancer helps reduce isolation and build hope. You see someone a few steps ahead of you and think: Thank goodness, you get it. I don’t have to keep explaining myself. I’m not the only one feeling this way. Someone who can offer practical tips, gentle wisdom, helpful resources or simply a listening ear.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself - What do I want next? What do I need? Where would I like to be in 3–6 months? Many people are afraid to look too far ahead in case something bad happens again. But making space to hope and plan is part of recovery too.

Find support after finishing cancer treatment

At Life after Cancer we help adults post-treatment rebuild confidence, reconnect with who they are, and move forward with clarity - towards a life that aligns with who they are now.

We recognise the invisible part of the cancer journey: the emotional, physical, and social impact that lingers after treatment ends. 

If you’re feeling a bit lost, struggling to find your new normal, or just want to be around others who get it, you’re not alone.

No one really prepares you for how life can feel after treatment. If things feel harder than you expected, you're not the only one and you don’t have to figure it out on your own, we’re here when you’re ready.

Free support at Life after Cancer includes:

Join one of our free events – we offer:

• Expert Sessions

• Support Groups

• Wellbeing Walks

• 6-Week Programme

• Coaching Workshops

• WhatsApp Community

You’ll meet others who understand, learn practical tools for life after treatment, and leave feeling more hopeful and less alone.

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Life after cancer is hard, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Find the support that’s right for you here.