Tips to feel better during cervical cancer treatment

Patients diagnosed with cervical cancer have a lot to deal with including keeping up with the doctor appointments and medications. While focusing on getting well is the most obvious thing to, it is also important to pay attention to dealing with the side effects from cancer treatments. A major part of the healing process also includes feeling your best.

Managing side effects

Physical side effects from treatment for cervical cancer include appetite changes, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, mouth dryness or thick saliva, mouth sores or sore throat, nausea, swallowing problems, taste and smell changes and weight changes.

It is important for you to talk to your health care team about how you are feeling. Do not forget to bring to light any new side effects or changes in existing side effects.  If you clearly communicate how you are feeling, your doctor will be in a better position to manage your side effects and prevent them from worsening.

Coping with emotional and social effects

Apart from physical effects, the aftermath of cancer diagnosis can have many emotional and social effects. The patient is likely to experience a range of difficult emotions such as sadness, anxiety and anger leading to high stress. Also, cervical cancer is closely associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Hence, there is a certain amount of stigma attached to the disease. Living with this stigma can make patients feel guilty, hopeless, embarrassed, ashamed, and isolated.

Talking to a loved one, oncology social worker like ASHA worker or a counselor can help the patients to develop more effective ways of coping and talking about cancer. Further, the patients as well as the people around them should understand that cervical cancer can affect anyone. Although almost all cervical cancers are caused by the HPV, most genital HPV infections will not cause cancer.

Managing nutrition and weight through diet and exercise

It’s only you and your doctor who will decide the best form of treatment for you with likely side effects that also include changes in your appetite and weight loss or weight gain. Good food choices will ensure that you feel better, tolerate side effects, lower your chances of infection and even heal faster.

It is important to have a balanced diet comprising antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E), carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains), healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats), proteins (fish, poultry, lean meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products), minerals and water.

Your cancer treatment may make you feel exhausted and exercising might appear like a far-fetched dream. But even a small amount of exercise can have tons of benefits including improved appetite and energy, and help you feel less stressed or depressed. Do consult your doctor for an effective exercise regime.