Navigating Cancer

Ghosting

What to Do About Cancer "Ghosting"

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on February 9, 2026

Do you have a cancer "ghost" in your life? Here's how to handle it.

Fear

Cancer Treatment Is Over. Now What?

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on November 7, 2024

Fear of cancer recurrence is common after cancer. If you're asking yourself, "What now?" after cancer treatment, this post may help.

Heuristics

Does Everything Cause Cancer?

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on October 2, 2023

Clickbait headlines and overstated findings can make it seem like nothing is safe. Read between the headlines to better understand cancer risk.

Therapy

"Writing Is My Therapy"

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on May 23, 2023

Looking for ways to cope with cancer? A cancer rebel shares her experience with expressive writing.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Could I Have PTSD From Cancer?

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on May 9, 2023

Are you wondering if you have been traumatized by having cancer? Here's how to better understand your experience.

Sex

Navigating Sexual Intimacy Post-Cancer

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on March 16, 2023

Frustrated with your sex life post-cancer? These five strategies may help.

Insomnia

What Is Health Psychology?

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on December 15, 2022

Struggling with your health? It may help to see a psychologist.

Motivation

Could Physical Activity Help Control Cancer?

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on October 18, 2022

Struggling to prioritize physical activity? Surprising new research may provide the motivation you need.

Motivation

Can Exercise Reduce Your Cancer Risk?

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on September 25, 2022

Can exercise reduce your cancer risk? New science points to the role of physical activity in preventing breast cancer.

Gaslighting

How to Deal With Medical Gaslighting

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on September 4, 2022

How to deal with medical gaslighting: Advocating for yourself in a healthcare setting.

Career

Dealing with "Time Toxicity" in Cancer Treatment

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on August 29, 2022

Cancer treatment can take a frustrating amount of time, creating a psychological burden on top of the existing medical one. These 3 strategies can help patients cope.

Loneliness

What Does It Mean to Be a Cancer Survivor?

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on June 5, 2022

The "cancer survivor" label: Empowering or invalidating? Reconsidering how we talk about cancer survivorship.

Empathy

Cancer and the 'Just World' Fallacy

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on April 24, 2022

Challenging the "just world" fallacy in cancer: Leveraging empathy and reasoning to challenge a common cognitive bias.

Stress

Is the Mind-Body Connection Real?

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on March 27, 2022

Stress affects our bodies. Understanding how, and learning strategies for effectively managing it, can help buffer the impact.

Stress

Understanding Chemo Brain

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on March 13, 2022

Struggling with chemo brain? You're not alone. Try these strategies for managing your symptoms.

Authenticity

How to Avoid Avoiding

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on March 2, 2022

How a values-based life can help you manage anxiety.

Testosterone

How to Better Support Loved Ones with Cancer: Invisible Symptoms

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on February 3, 2022

Seeing invisible symptoms: How to support a loved one post-treatment.

Cognition

How to Better Support a Loved One With Cancer

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on January 16, 2022

Rethinking the use of metaphor: How to better support a loved one with cancer.

Motivation

New Year's Resolutions in Cancer Survivorship

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on January 1, 2022

Struggling to make a change? These tips can help you achieve your goals.

Sleep

Giving Yourself the Gift of Rest

Jennifer Kilkus Ph.D., ABPP on December 5, 2021

Suffering from cancer-related fatigue? Check out these tips for conserving energy this holiday season.