The diagnosis of any type of cancer can be very hard for a
person to take. However, endometrial cancer can be treated
effectively and successfully. If you have endometrial cancer there
is a good chance that you will soon be cancer-free and able to live
a full, rich life.
In the mean time, there are a number of tips that can help you deal
with your disease on a day-to-day basis. These include:
1. Get informed about your disease Information is key in any cancer diagnosis, but the shock may
make it difficult to get in gear. Learn all about the disease, its
stages, its treatment, and life after cancer. If that sounds
overwhelming, create your own research staff. Find a friend or
family member who likes to research and can get info for you and
help you understand what is going on and what to ask your treatment
team. Take them with you to doctor's appointments or have them help
you write questions to ask.
2. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options All treatment options may not be right for all women. Your
doctor can help you figure out what is right for you. After
endometrial cancer is diagnosed, your doctor will recommend one or
more options for treatment. Make sure you understand each
treatment, what it should do, what its side effects are. You may
want to get a second opinion about your condition prior to
beginning treatment.
3. Show up for your follow-up appointments Most doctors recommend that you schedule follow-up visits every
three to six months for the first three years after treatment for
endometrial cancer. Approximately 75 percent of recurrences are
detected during this time. After three years, the likelihood of
recurrence is reduced, and follow-up visits are typically scheduled
semiannually. By showing up to all of these appointments, you can
greatly increase the odds of catching any potential recurrences
very quickly.
4. Build a network of support People will want to help you, so let them. You may get many
initial offers when you hear your diagnosis, but may not need the
help then. Tell people "thanks, I may call on you in the future."
Then do so. Be up front and ask people for what you need, or use a
trusted friend or relative to do it for you. Your network should
also include other cancer patients, either locally or online, who
can tell you what they went through and how they found help.
5. Learn about your disease, but don't be immersed in it Although cancer has become a part of your life, it is not your
life. Learning about your disease and finding support can take over
your life if you let it. You still have a life outside cancer. Try
to do normal things when you are able, but don't lose hope when you
aren't up to it. You may become friends with other cancer patients
who are doing worse or better than you are, which can scare you
about your own condition. Every person responds differently. Focus
on your own health but try not to become obsessed by it.
6. Be prepared for setbacks After a cancer diagnosis, you may think you can handle
anything. But pay attention to your feelings and allow for
different reactions along the way. You may have learned to accept a
cancer diagnosis and the prospect of chemo, but were unprepared for
how a hysterectomy and surgical recovery made you feel. You may
feel fine after two chemo sessions and think "this isn't so bad,"
only to get really ill after the next one. Good and bad may be
divided into days, hours or minutes.
7. Keep a positive outlook Some women may let a diagnosis of cancer completely destroy
their mood. Yes, endometrial cancer is a serious disease that
requires prompt and often aggressive treatment. It's natural to
feel a little down and worried about your condition, but if you
stay alert to your symptoms and treatment, your cancer can be
cured. Don't hold on to the negativities. Your life is not ruined,
you've merely hit a stumbling block.