Executive Summary
Survivorship begins immediately after the diagnosis of cervical cancer. And so, the individuals under treatment and whose disease conditions are cured after the treatment are referred to as the cancer survivors. Hence, survival is considered one of the most challenging aspects of cervical cancer, as every child has unique conditions as per the disease’s severity. The survivors have experience emotions of concern, relief, remorse, and terror during their cancer journey.
Patients and their families may experience powerful emotions after the treatment, including excitement, concern, relief, guilt, and dread. And so, coping with such emotional distress has been known to be the primary goal of survivorship. Recognizing the difficulties that your family is experiencing, solution-oriented thinking, requesting and accepting help from others, are also some of the most common coping effective necessitates. The treatment survivorship serves as a solid motivation to initiate healthy changes in lifestyle and maintain good health and live a cancer-free life.
Survivorship for Cervical Cancer
Survivorship for cervical cancer can have different meanings for different people. But commonly, it refers to;
- Having no signs of cancer post-treatment
- Cancer survivorship initiates from the moment of diagnosis and continues during treatment and throughout a person’s life.
Survivorship for cervical cancer is the most complicated part of cancer as it is different for each person 1. Some people get cancer treatment for a long time to cure and prevent a recurrence, While some treat cancer as a chronic disease.
Cervical cancer survivors usually experience a mixture of strong feelings, joy, guilt, concern and fear. Some people start to appreciate life after cancer diagnosis and accept themselves, while others become uncertain about their health and vitality.
Relationships formed with the cancer care team impart a sense of security during cervical cancer treatment, and people miss this source of support. This can be especially true when new worries and challenges surface over time, such as late treatment effects, emotional challenges including fear of recurrence, sexual health and fertility concerns, and financial and workplace issues 2. Every survivor has individual problems and challenges. And so, the excellent first step is recognizing your fears and talking about them with any challenge.
Effective coping requires the following
- Thinking through solutions
- Understanding the challenge you are facing
- Feeling comfortable with the action you choose
- Asking for the support of others
People with cervical cancer can improve the quality of their future by following instructions for good health, such as
- Limiting alcohol
- Not smoking
- Managing stress
- Eating well
Regular physical activity can help reconstruct your strength and energy level. The health care team can provide an appropriate exercise plan based upon your needs, physical abilities, and fitness level.
References
- 1.Pfaendler KS, Wenzel L, Mechanic MB, Penner KR. Cervical Cancer Survivorship: Long-term Quality of Life and Social Support. Clinical Therapeutics. Published online January 2015:39-48. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2014.11.013
- 2.Maher EJ, Denton A. Survivorship, Late Effects and Cancer of the Cervix. Clinical Oncology. Published online August 2008:479-487. doi:10.1016/j.clon.2008.04.009
