Uterine Cancer (cont.)
Support for women with uterine cancer
Living with a serious disease such as cancer is not easy. Some people find
they need help coping with the emotional and practical aspects of their disease.
Support groups can help. In these groups, patients or their family members get
together to share what they have learned about coping with the disease and the
effects of treatment. Patients may want to talk with a member of their health
care team about finding a support group.
It is natural for a woman to be worried about the effects of uterine cancer
and its treatment on her sexuality. She may want to talk with the doctor about
possible side effects and whether these effects are likely to be temporary or
permanent. Whatever the outlook, it may be helpful for women and their partners
to talk about their feelings and help one another find ways to share intimacy
during and after treatment.
People living with cancer may worry about caring for their families, holding
on to their jobs, or keeping up with daily activities. Concerns about treatments
and managing side effects, hospital stays, and medical bills are also common.
Doctors, nurses, and other members of the health care team will answer questions
about treatment, working, or other activities. Meeting with a social worker,
counselor, or member of the clergy can be helpful to those who want to talk
about their feelings or discuss their concerns. Often, a social worker can
suggest resources for financial aid, transportation, home care, or emotional
support.
The promise of cancer research
Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials,
research studies in which people take part voluntarily. Many treatment studies
for women with uterine cancer are under way. Research has already led to
advances, and researchers continue to search for more effective approaches.
Patients who take part in clinical trials have the first chance to benefit
from treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an
important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more about
the disease. Although clinical trials may pose some risks, researchers take many
very careful steps to protect people who take part.
In a large trial with hundreds of women, doctors are studying a less
extensive method of surgery to remove the uterus. Normally, the doctor makes an
incision in the abdomen to remove the uterus. In this study, doctors use a
laparoscope (a lighted tube) to help remove the uterus through the vagina. Also,
the doctor can use the laparoscope to help remove the ovaries and lymph nodes
and to look into the abdomen for signs of cancer.
Other researchers are looking at the effectiveness of radiation therapy after
surgery, as well as at the combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Other trials are studying new drugs, new drug combinations, and biological
therapies. Some of these studies are designed to find ways to reduce the side
effects of treatment and to improve the quality of women's lives.
A woman who is interested in being part of a clinical trial should talk with
her doctor.
Next: What resources are available to patients with uterine cancer? »
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