This information has been reviewed by:
Assoc. Prof. David Allen Chair, VCOG Committee,
Gynaecological Oncologist, Mercy Hospital For Women
It may take some time to recover from treatment. You will find that there are physical changes as well as many emotional changes to cope with. It is important that you, your partner (if you have one), family and employer are prepared for this.
Many women say that tiredness (or fatigue) is a major problem. This is not surprising, as most women start chemotherapy soon after their operation. Travelling to and from hospitals and clinics for treatment is also very tiring. If you start work again during the treatment and/or you have a home and family to care for, you will almost certainly find that you are very tired. If you are on your own and have to do everything yourself, tiredness will be a major problem.
"I felt so guilty because I couldn't do much, it helped when I realised that this tiredness was normal."
Your tiredness may continue for quite a while even after treatment has finished. Recovery is different for everyone. Many women feel ‘normal' within a couple of months of finishing chemotherapy; for oth-ers, it can take longer. It may help to talk with your family and friends about how you feel. Talk about how they can help you. You may also wish to talk to your doctor or nurse. You may need to plan your activi-ties during the day so that you get regular periods of rest.
If your ovaries are surgically removed, or damaged by radiotherapy, you will no longer have your periods and it will not be possible to become pregnant. If you have not been through menopause already, you may experience premature menopause. Symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness could be more sudden than they would be with a natural menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may control the symptoms of menopause. After a hysterectomy, women usually have just oestrogen. Oestrogen is a hormone that, before menopause, is mainly made by the ovaries. After menopause it is still produced by all your normal fat cells. Using HRT for more than five years increases the risk of some diseases including some cancers. However it also decreases the risk of some other diseases and cancers.
You will need to discuss the issues with your doctor, and evaluate for yourself the benefits and possible risks of taking HRT. There are also many useful books about menopause which may help you with your decisions.
It isn't uncommon to feel very low or depressed after a cancer diagnosis. Don't be too surprised if you do feel fed up and unhappy at certain times. Knowing why you feel like you do can help you to work through your feelings. Some people feel sad or depressed because of the changes that their cancer has caused. Others become very down because they are frightened about the future. Whatever it is that might be making you feel down it is important that you get the support you need.
There is a difference between feeling down and sad for a while and feeling very depressed for long periods. Depression is much harder to shake and can go on for a long time if you don't get the ap-propriate sort of help. If you have had one or more of these signs for a few weeks or more you should see your GP:
If you have some of these signs or think you may be depressed, it is very important that you get some help. Be honest with your doctor about how bad you feel. This will help them advise you about the type of support and care you need.
Bladder sensations or control may change after treatment. Some women find they need to go to the toilet more often; others find that they need to go in a hurry and sometimes don't get there in time. Others find that they pass urine when they cough or sneeze. While these problems may improve, even a small loss of bladder control can be upsetting.
If bladder control is a problem for you, you should seek help. Your doctor will be able to suggest ways to help with bladder control. These may include exercises to strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor. You should also be visited in hospital by a physiotherapist who can teach you about these exercises, or you can contact your local community health centre for help.
Some hospitals have continence nurses who can help you with bladder problems. You can contact the Continence Foundation of Australia on 1800 330 066.
After surgery some women may have problems with their bowels for a while. This may be wind pain which can be helped by sucking strong peppermints. Other women become constipated or suffer from diarrhoea and may need to make changes to their diet or take medication. Talk with your doctor if your bowel problems or pain do not improve.
Lymphoedema is swelling of part of the body, usually the legs or arms. It may occur after treatment for cervical cancer if you have had the lymph nodes in your pelvis removed (a lymphadenectomy), or after radiotherapy to the lymph nodes. Removal of, or radiation damage to, the nodes may prevent normal draining of the fluid from the legs. As a result, fluid can build up in one or both legs, causing swelling. This usually does not occur until some time after the original treatment.
It is not possible to predict whether you will have problems with lymphoedema. If you begin to have problems seek immediate help, as symptoms are better managed if treated early. Seek advice from your doctor or nurse. You may be given special stockings to wear after your operation.
Some hospitals have specialist physiotherapists who can advise you on how you may be able to reduce your risk of lymphoedema. They also help you if lymphoedema occurs in the future.
For further information about lymphoedema, contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
