Uterine cancer: what happens after treatment?
Recovery and follow-up after being treated for uterine cancer are different for everyone and depend on the treatment you have received. You may need to talk with your employer about how the treatment may affect your work, and with your family about the support you need. You will need regular health checks that will include tests and examinations after treatment is over. As well as checking to make sure your cancer has not come back, follow-up visits may be necessary because of the possible physical changes that will occur as a result of the cancer and the cancer treatment.
Check-ups will continue to be necessary even if you have not had any sign of cancer for some years. This can make it difficult to put the experience of a cancer diagnosis and treatment behind you. Finding ways of supporting yourself and taking care of yourself when a check-up is scheduled is a part of living with cancer.
Relationships and sexuality
A diagnosis of cancer of the uterus may affect how you feel about yourself and about your relationships. This is a time when you need support. Long-term or new partners may also have difficulty adjusting to the impact of this cancer and may need reassurance. Do not be afraid to seek support, either for yourself, or your partner. Both of you may need to seek separate support.
If you are without a partner, you may be worried about forming new relationships. Talking about this with a close friend, a family member, a social worker or telephoning the Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20 may be useful.
After you have had your check-up following surgery you will be able to recommence sexual intercourse if you wish. You do not have to wait for the doctor’s okay to be affectionate and physically demonstrative but you might find that it takes time before you feel physically and emotionally well enough for sexual intercourse.
If you have had internal radiotherapy, you may find that your vagina has changed and shortened and it may be dry as well. Talk with your doctor and the clinic nurses about this. Lubricant (for example, K-Y Jelly) can be helpful when dryness is a problem, or you might try different positions. If you are having external radiotherapy, you are usually able to continue having intercourse as long as you are comfortable and you feel like it. Everyone is different: be guided by your own feelings. You may find that, particularly near the end of treatment, you don’t feel like intercourse.
It may be some time until you feel ready for vaginal intercourse and you may need to build up your confidence first and talk about your needs with your partner. Sharing affection with your partner through kissing, caressing and touching can give you both much pleasure. When you do feel ready again for vaginal intercourse, you may wish to proceed slowly.
If you find you are having difficulty regaining your sexual relationship, you may need specialist help and advice. You and/or your partner may want to talk with your doctor or nurse about this or to seek advice from them on where you might get help.
Why am I so tired?
Many women complain that tiredness is a major problem. This tends to be particularly a problem if you need to have radiotherapy and other treatments. If you start work again during the treatment or if you have a home and a family to care for, you will almost certainly be very tired.
Some women find it takes them up to one or 2 years to feel really well again. It may help to talk with your family and friends about how you feel and discuss ways in which they can help you. You may need to plan your activities during the day so that you get regular periods of rest.
As with any cancer, the food you eat is important in helping you with your recovery. Once you have recovered from your treatment it is best to keep as fit and active as you can, eat a balanced diet and live as full and normal a life as possible.
Dealing with menopause
Women who go through menopause as a direct result of the cancer treatment will have to adjust to the symptoms and bodily changes that are a part of no longer producing large amounts of the female hormones. It may be appropriate to consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) not only to help with these symptoms but to also reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). You will need to discuss with your gynaecologist-oncologist what the benefits and risks are for you of having HRT. If you were already on HRT when your cancer was diagnosed, you will need to weigh up the risks of continuing.
Bladder problems
Bladder sensations or control may change after cancer treatment. If bladder control is a problem for you, you should seek help. Your specialist will be able to suggest ways to help with bladder control. These may include special exercises to strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor. Ask to see a physiotherapist who can teach you about these exercises, or you can contact your local community health centre for help. Some hospitals have specialist continence nurses who can help you with bladder problems.
Bowel problems
After surgery some women have problems with their bowels for a while. This may be wind pain, which can be helped by sucking strong peppermints or drinking peppermint tea. Some women find that they become constipated or suffer from diarrhoea; they may need to make adjustments to their diet or take medication. Talk to your doctor if your bowel problems or pain don’t improve.
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is swelling of part of the body, usually the legs or the arms. It may occur after treatment for cancer of the uterus if you have had the lymph glands in your pelvis removed (lymphadenectomy). Removal of the glands may prevent normal draining of the lymph 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.
If you have problems, seek immediate help as symptoms are better managed if treated early. Seek advice from your specialist or nurse.
Last Reviewed: 20 April 2001
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