Tips for Feeling Your Best During Treatment for Uterine Cancer

When you are being treated for uterine cancer, it is possible that you will have side effects. You may also have symptoms from the disease itself. For instance, the tumor may put pressure on an organ or body part and cause pain. Or the tumor may interfere with that organ’s function.

The treatments to destroy cancer cells can harm healthy cells at the same time. That means treatment can cause side effects.

Side effects affect each woman differently. Some women have none. Others may have many. Some side effects may change over time. Others will stay the same. And some side effects may be temporary, while others may be permanent.

When side effects occur, they can interfere with your day-to-day life. For instance, if you haven’t yet reached menopause, removing your uterus and ovaries during surgery can result in side effects such as hot flashes. Some side effects can make other symptoms feel worse. For example, if you’re depressed or not sleeping well, you may be tired. When you are more tired, your pain may feel worse. Getting relief from one side effect can sometimes help others.

The kind of side effects you have depends on the type of treatment you have. And the treatment is based on whether the cancer is localized to the uterus or has spread away from it.

Tell Your Healthcare Team How You Feel During Treatment for Uterine Cancer

Treating your cancer to get the best results is important. But your quality of life also matters. Let your doctor and nurse know if you notice any side effects or discomfort. Make sure you tell your doctor or nurse how these problems affect your day-to-day life. Your healthcare team is there to help you manage your symptoms as well as treat your cancer.

It’s normal to worry about any problems you may be having. You may ask yourself, “Is the cancer getting worse? Are the treatments working?” Talk with your doctor and nurse about your concerns. You also need to let them know as much about the problem as possible. Keep a record of the following information and bring it to your appointments.

  • What the problem is — Describe the problem (diarrhea, depression, appetite loss) that you’re concerned about. Be as specific as possible. Include what it feels like. For example, if you have discomfort somewhere, is it itchy, achy, or burning?
  • Where the problem is — Is there a specific area that is affected, such as your stomach or your head? Be as specific as possible.
  • When it started — How long have you had the problem? Did you first notice the problem before or after a treatment session? Did you have it before you started treatment? Is it a constant problem? Is it worse or better at certain times? Does it come and go?
  • How bad it is — If you had to rank the problem on a scale from 0 to 10 (0=not bad, 10=worst), where would it rank?
  • Triggers that make the problem better or worse — Are there certain activities that you do that affect your symptoms or certain times of the day when your symptoms are worse?
  • How the problem affects your day-to-day life — Have you had to stop any activities because of the problem? Has your life changed because of the problem?
  • What you’re currently doing to manage the symptoms — Is it helping? Be sure to share any complementary or alternative therapies you may be trying at home.

It may help you to keep a chart of your symptoms. Your chart might look something like this.

Sample Symptoms Tracker Chart:

Date Symptom Intensity Rating (0-10) Management (What did you do? Did it work?)
Jan. 3 Pain 4 I tried to watch a funny video, but I couldn’t pay attention. I put a cool, wet towel on my forehead and lay down in a dark room. After a nap, I felt better.