Cervical Cancer (cont.)
Side effects of treatment for cervical cancer
Because cancer treatment often damages healthy cells and tissues, unwanted side effects are common. Side effects depend mainly on the type and extent of the treatment. Side effects may not be the same for each woman, and they may change from one treatment session to the next. Before treatment starts, your health care team will explain possible side effects and suggest ways to help you manage them.
Surgery
It takes time to heal after surgery, and the recovery time is different for
each woman. You may be uncomfortable for the first few days. However, medicine
can usually control the pain. Before surgery, you should discuss the plan for
pain relief with your doctor or nurse. After surgery, your doctor can adjust the
plan if you need more pain relief.
If you have surgery to remove a small tumor on the surface of the cervix, you
may have cramping or other pain, bleeding, or a watery discharge.
If you have a hysterectomy, the length of the hospital stay may vary from
several days to a week. It is common to feel tired or weak for a while. You may
have problems with nausea and vomiting, and you may have bladder and bowel
problems. The doctor may restrict your diet to liquids at first, with a gradual
return to solid food. Most women return to their normal activities within 4 to 8
weeks after surgery.
After a hysterectomy, women no longer have menstrual periods. They cannot
become pregnant.
When the ovaries are removed, menopause occurs at once. Hot flashes and other
symptoms of menopause caused by surgery may be more severe than those caused by
natural menopause. You may wish to discuss this with your doctor before surgery.
Some drugs have been shown to help with these symptoms, and they may be more
effective if started before surgery.
After surgery, some women may be concerned about sexual intimacy. Many women
find that it helps to share these concerns with their partner. A couple may want
to ask a counselor to help them express their concerns.
Radiation therapy
Side effects depend mainly on the dose of radiation and the part of your body
that is treated. Radiation to the abdomen and pelvis may cause nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, or urinary problems. You may lose hair in your genital area. Also,
your skin in the treated area may become red, dry, and tender.
You may have dryness, itching, or burning in your vagina. The radiation may
also make your vagina narrower. The doctor or nurse may suggest ways to relieve
discomfort. There also are ways to expand the vagina, which will help make
follow-up exams easier. Your doctor may advise you not to have intercourse
during treatment. But most women can resume sexual activity within a few weeks
after treatment ends.
You are likely to become very tired during radiation therapy, especially in
the later weeks of treatment. Resting is important, but doctors usually advise
patients to try to stay as active as they can.
Although the side effects of radiation therapy can be distressing, your
doctor can usually find ways to relieve them.
Chemotherapy
The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the specific drugs and the
dose. The drugs affect cancer cells and other cells that divide rapidly:
- Blood cells: These cells
fight infection, help your blood to clot, and carry oxygen to all parts of the body. When drugs affect your blood cells, you
are more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed
easily, and feel very weak and tired.
- Cells in hair roots:
Chemotherapy can cause you to lose your hair. The hair will grow back, but it
may be somewhat different in color and texture.
- Cells that line the digestive tract: Chemotherapy can cause a
poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores.
The drugs
used for cervical cancer also may cause skin rash, hearing
problems, loss of balance, joint pain, or swollen legs
and feet.
Your doctor can suggest ways to control many of these side effects.
Complementary and alternative medicine
Some people with cancer use complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) to
ease stress or to reduce side effects and symptoms:
- An approach is generally called complementary
medicine when it is used along with standard treatment.
- An approach is called alternative medicine when it is
used instead of standard treatment.
Acupuncture, massage therapy,
herbal products, vitamins or special diets, visualization, meditation, and spiritual healing are types of CAM. Many people say that such approaches help them feel better.
However, some types of CAM, including certain vitamins, may interfere with
standard treatment. Combining CAM with standard treatment may even be harmful.
Before trying any type of CAM, you should discuss its possible benefits and
harmful effects with your doctor.
Some types of CAM are expensive. Health insurance may not cover the cost.
Nutrition
It is important to eat well during cancer treatment. Eating well means
getting enough calories to maintain a good weight and enough protein to keep up
your strength. Good nutrition often helps people with cancer feel better and
have more energy.
But eating well can be difficult. You may not feel like eating if you are
uncomfortable or tired. Also, the side effects of treatment (such as poor
appetite, nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores) can be a problem. Some people find
that foods do not taste as good during cancer therapy.
The doctor, a dietitian, or another health care provider can suggest ways to
maintain a healthy diet.
Next: What happens after treatment for cervical cancer? »
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