Living with Cervical, Vulvar and Vaginal Cancers
Living with cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers
While radiation therapy itself may be painless, it impacts your body in ways that you can’t always see. In order to keep your body strong, here is a list of things to do during treatment:
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Drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet.
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Listen to your body. Don’t push yourself too hard, and rest when you’re tired. You will probably be sleeping more than normal, and that’s okay.
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Be kind to the skin near your treatment area. Wash the area with mild soap and water, and do not put hot or cold packs on the skin. Contact your MRO care team before using lotions or ointments
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Find a support group or seek out help to manage the stress that comes with cancer treatment and cancer diagnosis
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Make sure to tell your doctor about any medicines or supplements you take to ensure the medications are safe to use during treatment.
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Follow your doctor’s orders and contact your MRO care team with any questions.
Life After Treatment
After you’ve completed treatment, you’ll have follow-up visits with your MRO care team, especially in the first few months after treatment, to make sure there is no progression or recurrence. During this time, it’s important to report any new symptoms to your doctor right away, so the cause can be found and treated.
Follow-up care varies from patient to patient. Your MRO care team may also recommend home care, occupational or vocational therapy, pain management, physical therapy, and/or participation in support groups.
For more information, visit our resources page.