Living well with sarcoma

This page explains how you can look after yourself while living with sarcoma. It includes information about staying active, eating well, going back to work or school, and managing symptoms.

Living with sarcoma can affect many parts of your life. Taking care of your physical and emotional wellbeing can help you manage day-to-day life and feel as well as possible. There is no right or wrong way to do this.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Visit our mental health information to learn more about looking after your emotional wellbeing and finding support.

Being active

Being active can help you build strength, improve your fitness and get back to activities you enjoy. The right amount and type of activity will depend on your treatment, recovery and what feels right for you.

Your healthcare team or rehabilitation team can advise you about what activity is safe and suitable for you.

You do not have to exercise in a certain way. Any movement you feel able to do can be a useful way to stay active.

You could try:

• walking
• swimming
• cycling
• gardening
• taking the stairs instead of the lift.

Choose activities that you enjoy and feel able to do.

Visit Move Against Cancer’s exercise resource hub for tips and support to help you stay active after cancer treatment.

Eating well

Eating a healthy, balanced diet helps your body stay well. It also gives your body the nutrients it needs.

Your food needs may change during and after sarcoma treatment. For example, surgery or treatment may change how you eat or digest food. Your body may also need different nutrients while it heals.

Talk to your healthcare team if:

• you lose or gain weight without trying
• you find it hard to eat
• you are worried about your diet.

The World Cancer Research Fund has a practical guide with tips on eating well during cancer that you can download for free.

Going back to work or education

Going back to work, school, college or university can be an important step after sarcoma treatment. It can help you:

• get back into a routine
• spend time with other people
• feel more independent.

You may feel ready to go back, but also have some worries. You might feel nervous about managing your workload or keeping up with your studies. You may still feel tired or have other side effects from treatment.

You do not have to rush. You may need time to build up your energy and confidence. Going back gradually can help you get used to your routine again.

You may also need some changes to help you at work or school. These are called reasonable adjustments. They can make it easier to work or study while you manage sarcoma or the effects of treatment.

Talk to your employer, school, college or university about the support you need. They may be able to make changes to help you.

We have more information about:

• Going back to work or school.
• Getting help with money and benefits.

Managing symptoms and getting support

Some people live with sarcoma for a long time. You may have treatment to control the sarcoma, or it may stay the same for a while. Your treatment and care needs may change over time.

You may have symptoms or side effects that affect your everyday life. Palliative care can help you manage these and improve your quality of life.

You can have palliative care alongside treatment for sarcoma. It is not just for people who are nearing the end of their life.

We have more information about palliative care and sarcoma.