Follow-Up Care
Cervical cancer survival depends on how advanced the disease is when it is first diagnosed. Your doctor will want to see you periodically for regular Pap tests as well as pelvic exams and other tests. If you experience any new symptoms, please contact your doctor right away. The sooner your symptoms are evaluated and treated, the better your outcome will be.
Managing Complications
Memorial Sloan-Kettering doctors are focusing on several quality-of-life issues for survivors of gynecologic cancers. By knowing in advance what to expect, you can work with your healthcare team to minimize these effects.
Premature Menopause
Some treatments for gynecologic cancers may cause the early onset of menopausal symptoms: irregular periods, hot flashes, drying or thinning of vaginal tissues or the bladder, loss of interest in sex, insomnia and fatigue, and memory problems.
Video
Fertility-sparing options are now available for women of childbearing age with ovarian, endometrial, or cervical cancer.
(5:00)
At Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Barbara White Fishman Women's Health Center, women treated for gynecologic cancers can receive counseling and treatment to help them manage the symptoms of menopause and the increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease that can occur after menopause. Physicians at the Women's Health Center care for both young women who are experiencing the early onset of menopause as a result of cancer therapy and older women who have reached menopause naturally, but whose choices for managing menopausal symptoms are limited because of their cancer histories. The Barbara White Fishman Women's Health Center is located in Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering clinical researchers are currently enrolling women in a study that will assess the distress, sexual health, and quality of life experienced by women suffering from infertility related to therapy for gynecologic cancers. Doctors will use what they learn to design ways to better help women who must deal with the problem of infertility after cancer treatment.
- Sexual Health
Some women find cancer therapy has affected their feelings and desire for sex. This is an important issue for many women, because treatments for gynecologic cancers sometimes result in side effects that cause vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, and reduced interest in sex. Don't be afraid to let us know if you are experiencing these problems and would like some help; we are here for you. Counselors at Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Sexual Health Program at the Barbara White Fishman Women's Health Center can help you discuss and address your concerns. They can also refer you to other doctors who treat any underlying problems that may be contributing to your concerns.
- The Role of Rehabilitation in Managing Complications
During surgery for removal of the uterus for cervical cancer, surgeons may remove regional lymph nodes in the groin. Physical therapists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering specialize in caring for patients after lymph node dissection and in educating patients on precautions to prevent injury and other resulting conditions. Some patients may develop lymphedema (a condition in which excess fluid collects in tissue and causes swelling, usually in the groin area), and therapists here are particularly knowledgeable about this condition. They instruct patients in managing their symptoms and reducing or stabilizing the swelling, caring for the skin in the affected area, regaining mobility after surgery, and identifying activities that tend to exacerbate the condition. To learn more about the role of rehabilitation services in the care of cancer patients, visit the Rehabilitation section of this Web site.
Other Aspects of Survivorship
To help patients manage some of the other issues that may come up in survivorship, Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers a wide range of programs for patients, including the following:
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Counseling Center
Our Counseling Center offers individual and family counseling sessions to help patients and their families address the problems that they may encounter in adjusting to life during and after treatment.
- Living Beyond Cancer
People facing the challenges of cancer survivorship can access a variety of support services through the Living Beyond Cancer section of our Web site. This section includes information about professionally led support groups and counseling, survivorship clinics to manage the late effects of cancer and its treatment, recommendations about screening and healthy living, and specialized services to address sexual and reproductive health. We also offer a range of resources to help survivors, families, and friends better understand the complex emotional and social issues following treatment.
Additional services are offered through our Resources for Life After Cancer program, which provides a full range of educational support services, including individual and family counseling, periodic lectures or workshops to provide medical updates, and practical guidance on employment and insurance issues.
- Integrative Medicine Service
Our Integrative Medicine Service is designed to enhance cancer patients' quality of life through healing regimens that address the body, mind, and spirit. Beneficial complementary therapies include various types of massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation, visualization and other mind-body therapies, music therapy, and nutritional counseling, as well as classes such as yoga, t'ai chi, and chair aerobics.
- Screening & Wellness
Memorial Sloan-Kettering provides numerous prevention, screening, and wellness services. Information about these services as well as guidance on how to stop smoking and how to follow a healthy diet can be found on our Web site in the Prevention & Screening section.
Access Your Information Through our Patient Portal
Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers a secure Web site — called MYMSKCC — for patients to access personalized information about their care. If you enroll to use MYMSKCC, you can view, confirm, and keep track of appointments; access over 300 lab results; make changes to contact and insurance information; communicate with your healthcare team and other staff using secure electronic messages; and pay bills and view balances. Learn more about MYMSKCC.
To enroll in MYMSKCC, please ask a session assistant in clinic or contact your physician's office.
Recommended Links
