Living with Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer

While your doctors are always there to answer your medical questions and provide you with the best treatments to combat the physical effects of uterine cancer, you also need a support system in place to help you stay optimistic and help you deal with the emotional effects of it.

Strategies & Coping Skills for Uterine Cancer

• Build a support system: While you are likely a strong person, there is no reason to go through the diagnostic and recovery process for uterine cancer alone. Along with surrounding yourself with family and friends, make doctors and other endometrial cancer patients part of your support system. Connecting with others who suffer from the same condition as you can be extremely helpful as you go through this experience.
  
  
• Know what to expect: Talking to your doctors, reading literature and getting answers to all of your questions are all important steps in understanding how doctors diagnose and treat uterine cancer.
  
  Knowing what to expect from the process will help you not only ease your anxiety over the unknown, but it will also prevent you from breaking down or becoming depressed if potential complications arise. Having realistic expectations is an essential strategy for coping with uterine cancer.
  
  
• Seek out alternative advice and treatments: Being proactive and talking to a variety of doctors (which is part of knowing what to expect) helps you take an active role in your treatment. Along with following the advice of your doctors, consider taking herbal supplements and getting acupuncture to help keep you optimistic, energized and anxiety-free.
  
  
• Stay active and involved: Depending on the stage of your cancer, try to stay active and involved in your hobbies. Although you may not be able to exercise as intensely as you had before you started cancer treatment, going for walks and getting out to see friends is important to staying connected to the world and keeping your attitude healthy.
  
  
• Talk out your fears and anxieties: Along with doctors, friends and family, you may want to consider getting a therapist or joining a cancer support group. While a therapist is especially helpful for those with extreme anxiety or depression, a cancer support group (especially one specifically for endometrial cancer patients) is a good place to talk out your fears and find tips for coping with cancer from others suffering from the same plight.

Where to Go for Support

• chat rooms
• online forums
• support groups at hospitals, churches or local community centers
• therapists.

Resources