I’ve Just Been Told I Have Endometrial Cancer
There are very few things scarier than being told you have cancer. You may feel like you’re in shock. You may not even want to believe what the doctor has told you. And there are probably so many questions you want to ask but think you can’t because you don’t know where to start.
First of all, it’s OK to be overwhelmed. And it’s OK to feel afraid. But you shouldn’t let those feelings stop you from finding out as much as you can about your cancer and about the options you have. Because the more you know, the less helpless and afraid you will feel. And the more you know, the better you will be able to work with your health team to make the best choices for your treatment.
This section has one purpose. It’s here to help you start learning the things you need to know to be able to face your cancer experience with confidence. And the best way to start is to learn more about the anatomy of the uterus, how endometrial cancer develops, and your diagnosis.
To recommend the best treatment for you, your healthcare team needs to know as much as they can about you and your cancer. The biopsy that showed you have cancer gives your doctor other facts, too. For instance, it can help your doctor predict how fast the cancer may grow, called the grade. It can also help your doctor determine the stage. This is how far the cancer has spread. You may need other tests so that your doctor can learn more about the stage and how the cancer might respond to various treatments.
Usually treatment for endometrial cancer begins a few weeks after a diagnosis. This gives you time to get all the details your doctor needs. You also have time to talk with your doctor about treatment choices. You can get a second opinion, decide about treatment, and prepare yourself and your loved ones. The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation has prepared a workbook that helps patients and their families understand the treatment of endometrial cancer and suggests several questions to discuss with your doctor. The workbook, Understanding Your Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer is available from our Educational Materials section.