Getting treatment for cervical cancer is a profound chapter that you faced. If you are reading this as a victor of this disease, take some time to realise that your strength and resilience are extraordinary.
Every step of the way from the sad news of the diagnosis through treatment represents courage that deserves respect and recognition. Every survivor’s experience is different. Some women were ready to embrace life with a renewed perspective in life, while others needed more time to process their experiences and adjust to their new normal.
Wherever you find yourself on this spectrum, your feelings and everything that has happened are valid.
Your New Normal
Your body has been through many changes. Many survivors feel some degree of fatigue that slowly improves over the course of months. You might notice changes in your pelvic area, including vaginal dryness or tightness, especially if you underwent radiation therapy.
Other women may feel menopausal symptoms if their treatment affects their hormones. Some survivors reported the following late side effects of the cancer:
- Bladder dysfunction
- Sexual dysfunction
- Bowel dysfunction
- Lymphedema (swelling)
- Psychosocial problems
Remember that your body continues to heal long after treatment concludes.
Tips for managing long-term side effects
To fight against fatigue, plan your day but with energy conservation in mind. Start completing important activities before the less important ones, take short rest breaks, and listen to your body. Only increase physical activity if your body can tolerate or feels comfortable doing it.
For the discomfort of the pelvic area, pelvic floor physical therapy is effective for many who are regaining comfort and function. It also helps alleviate pain during sexual intercourse.
As for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, hot flashes and nights may be controlled with the help of oestrogen replacement therapy. Also avoid triggers like drinking caffeine and alcohol. You can dress in layers and discuss other options with your gynaecologist in Singapore.
When to contact your healthcare team
If you are in cervical cancer remission but you feel any of the following, do not hesitate to reach out to your medical team.
- Unusual vaginal bleeding/discharge
- Pelvic pain that is new or worsening
- Persistent bloating or digestive issues
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swelling in your legs
- Changes in bladder or bowel function
- Symptoms that concern you or affect your quality of life
Trust your instincts for ONLY YOU know your body best. It’s always recommended that you voice out these concerns to your team.
Follow-Up Care and Cervical Cancer Screening
It is completely understandable if cervical cancer survivors are not quite sure about how they should be taking care of themselves after the course of treatment. That’s why your doctor may have told you to do follow-up care as part of the post-treatment.
In general, follow-up care encompasses a series of medical check-ups that are vital for a survivor’s well-being after the treatment. It usually includes physical examinations, blood tests, and different imaging tests to monitor the body for any changes.
The scope of follow-up care is more than just observing signs of cervical cancer recurrence, but also to conduct tests to check for the development of new cancers and manage any ongoing health concerns associated with cervical cancer treatment.
Your Emotional Well-Being
Cervical cancer is a frequently diagnosed cancer. So for the survivors, one emerging problem that they face is psychological well-being.
You might feel a roller coaster of emotions—can be a relief and gratitude mixed with anxiety, grief, and sense of uncertainty. Some may feel disconnected from their pre-cancer identity or wrestling with difficult questions about mortality.
Others experience post-traumatic growth like finding new meaning and purpose. All these responses are normal parts of the healing process.
Dealing with the fear of cervical cancer recurrence
The fear of cancer recurrence peaks around follow-up appointments and when one experiences new physical symptoms. But we’re here to help you manage this fear without bottling it up inside you.
- Acknowledge this fear without judgment.
- Stay “present” in the “present.”
- Learn to draw the fine line between “a genuine concern to one’s health” and ruminative thoughts like “What if the cancer comes back?” and “Are my efforts enough to prevent the cancer from returning?” It’s fine to self-ask these things but don’t let them engulf your mind and sanity.
- Develop a plan with your healthcare team for addressing concerns between appointments.
Gaining back confidence & positive self-image
Your relationship with your body may have changed. Follow these practices as these might help rebuild the confidence that’s lost.
- Reconnect with your body through gentle self-care rituals.
- Choose cloths that make you feel both comfortable and confident.
- Speak affirmations about yourself focusing on your strength and resilience of pushing through with your journey.
- Celebrate what your body CAN do. You may have limitations at this stage of your life, but you will discover many capabilities of yours that you never imagined you could do.
- Find ways to express yourself that honour your experience.
If the emotions are too much…
You didn’t have to go through cancer alone. This is the same with post-treatment journey. It’s normal for you and your loved ones to feel anxious, sad, worried, fearful or angry.
But when these feelings get in the way of your everyday life, affect your relationships with other people or change the way you see yourself, you must seek professional help.
Talk to a clinical psychologist or a medical social worker if you have concerns about:
- Feelings of sadness or mood swings
- Overwhelming worries
- Adjustments to your diagnosis and life changes
- Coping with behavioural and physical changes
- Challenges concerning sexuality, relationships and body image
If you are a caregiver or a family member of the patient, you are also part of the counselling. You can discuss the moments you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed as a caregiver or being the pillar of the house whose one family member has been diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Taking Care of Your Body
As a cancer survivor, you may wonder if it’s okay for you to engage in an exercise routine, like you used to. Exercise has been proven to be beneficial to the physical and mental well-being. Aside from improving circulation and strengthening your bones and muscles, it also improves your balance, energy levels, and mobility. On top of that, it helps you cope with stress, anxiety, and depression and improves your self-esteem.
The Do’s of Exercise
Put on a comfortable dress during the exercise. Drink plenty of water and protein-rich foods so that your body recovers after exercise.
The activity can be in the form of gardening, doing household tasks, or using the stairs. Do not resort to doing dangerous activities like lifting. As much as possible, make these sessions as enjoyable as possible. If you are a music lover, incorporate music. If you’re family-oriented, get active with your friends or family to keep yourself motivated.
Your energy levels change every so often. Track them and exercise when you think you have more energy. If it’s in the evening, plan your exercise sessions in the evening. You can conserve your energy by doing shorter or split sessions.
And the last of the do’s, consult your care team for a referral to an exercise practitioner, particularly if you have other medical conditions such as heart and breathing problems.
The Don’ts of Exercise
Avoid exercising when you don’t feel well—when you are having severe fatigue, pain or fever. Do not feel guilty about missing a day because rest and recovery is an important part of well-being too.
Returning to Work After the Treatment
After the treatment, you may feel like you have more time and energy to focus on other aspects of your life such as career.
The decision of going back to work depends on many things—your age, condition, preference, and social and financial circumstances. It isn’t black and white, but about finding what’s best for yourself.
Some people choose to return to their current work while others may decide to seek newer pastures or even consider retiring because of changes in their capacities and/or priorities.
Returning to your old job
It is normal to feel nervous about returning after taking time off work while on treatment. It could be easy for you to go back to work full time, but for others, it may take time and challenging adjustments, both physically and mentally.
What might concern you significantly is workplace interaction. Are you ready to tell others about your extended absence?
Also, it is recommended that you plan ahead with commonly encountered physical issues in mind. You may get ired easily, experience numbness in your fingers and toes, or have difficulty concentrating and remembering. Talk to your medical team and discuss this aspect with them.
Switching careers
Having a major life-changing experience like having cancer may cause you to develop a new perspective and re-evaluate your goals, priorities and values in life. You can use this renewed point of view to pursue something different or have a new life.
Are you thinking of working a less stressful job? Here are some points to consider if you are considering making a work jump.
- What are my skills and abilities now post-treatment?
- What are the job opportunities out there that match these current skills?
- Do I need to refresh my knowledge by undergoing training and seminars?
- Can I grow in the new job?
- Will the new job/role be less stressful than my previous work?
- Will I be happy or consistently motivated in the new job even though this means a lesser salary/lower position?
Thinking of retiring?
Some also choose to retire early. But before going down this route, evaluate your finances and the “why” for not returning to work.
- Do I enjoy working? Can I really live my life without working?
- Do I have savings? If yes, are they enough to sustain me and my family throughout retirement?
- How would I spend my time if I stopped working?
Conclusion
Living a life of hope and healthy well-being as a survivor can bring strings of doubt, physical challenges, and circumstances that cause us to think less of ourselves. Always remember that you were so brave battling through the disease and the treatment.
Now, you are a warrior who stood a victor in the battlefield, and alongside you are friends, family members, and medical professionals who support you to live a happy and quality life.