Coping with physical side effects
The Types of Therapy section lists the most common physical adverse effects associated with each cervical cancer treatment strategy. Learn more about cancer's side effects and how to prevent or control them, as well as how to prevent or control them. The stage of your cancer, the length and dose of treatment, and your overall health all have a role in how your physical health changes.
Talk to your healthcare team about how you're feeling on a frequent basis. Any new side effects or changes in current side effects must be communicated to them. They can identify strategies to reduce or manage your side effects if they know how you're feeling, making you feel more at ease and maybe preventing any unwanted effects from escalating.
Coping with emotional and social effects
Following a cancer diagnosis, you may experience emotional and social consequences. This could include dealing with difficult emotions like grief, worry, or rage, as well as stress management. It might be tough for people to explain their feelings to their loved ones at times.
Some people have discovered that talking to an oncology social worker, counsellor, or a member of some religious group can help them create more effective ways of coping with cancer and talking about it.
Coping with the stigma of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer, like other cancers affecting the sex organs, can be difficult to talk about. Many types of cancer, including testicular, penile, vaginal, and vulvar tumours, can cause embarrassment in people who talk about these sensitive areas of their bodies. This should never prevent you from requesting and receiving the emotional assistance you need, and your treatment team will never be humiliated if you bring up these concerns with them. Your team can also assist you in feeling more at ease discussing this with others.
Because HPV is linked to cervical cancer, patients may fear that they will not receive as much sympathy or assistance from others because they believe their actions contributed to the disease. Although HPV is responsible for nearly all cervical malignancies, it is crucial to remember that the majority of genital HPV infections do not result in cancer. Cervical cancer can strike anyone at any time.
Patients who are subjected to this stigma may feel guilty, helpless, embarrassed, ashamed, and alienated. If any of these emotions affect patients or their families, they should inform the medical team. Cervical cancer patients can get aid from a variety of sources. Some people feel comfortable talking to their doctor, nurse, family, and friends about their sickness and experiences. Others seek assistance from a support group or other sources.
Caring for a loved one with cancer
In caring for a person with cervical cancer, family and friends typically play a crucial role. This is what it means to be a caretaker. Even if they reside far away, caregivers can provide physical, practical, and emotional support to the patient.
Caregivers may be responsible for a variety of tasks on a daily or as-needed basis, including:
- Providing support and encouragement
- Talking with the health care team
- Giving medications
- Helping manage symptoms and side effects
- Coordinating medical appointments
- Providing a ride to and from appointments
- Assisting with meals
- Helping with household chores