Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
Home Treatment
During medical treatment for any stage of endometrial cancer, you can use home treatment to help manage the side effects that may accompany endometrial cancer or cancer treatment. Home treatment may be all that is needed to manage the following common problems. If your doctor has given you instructions or medications to treat these symptoms, be sure to follow them. In general, healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep and exercise can help control your symptoms.
Home treatment includes the following:
- For nausea or vomiting, watch for and treat early signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, sticky saliva, and reduced urine output with dark yellow urine. Older adults can quickly become dehydrated from vomiting. Your doctor also may prescribe medicines to control nausea and vomiting. For more information on how to deal with these side effects, see:
- For diarrhea, rest your stomach, get enough fluids, and be alert for signs of dehydration. Check with your doctor before using any nonprescription medications for your diarrhea.
- Constipation includes ensuring that you drink enough fluids and include fruits, vegetables, and fiber in your diet each day. Do not use a laxative without consulting your doctor.
Other issues that may arise include:
- Sleep problems. If you find you have trouble sleeping, some tips for managing sleep problems may be helpful, such as having a regular bedtime, getting some exercise during the day, and avoiding naps.
- Fatigue. If you feel as though you do not have any energy and tire easily, try some measures to manage fatigue, such as getting extra rest, eating a balanced diet, and reducing your stress.
- Urinary problems, which can be caused by both endometrial cancer and its treatment. It may help to eliminate caffeinated drinks from your diet and to establish a schedule of urinating every 3 to 4 hours, regardless of whether you feel the need.
- Hair loss. Hair loss may be unavoidable, but using mild shampoos and avoiding damaging hair products will decrease irritation of your scalp.
Many women with endometrial cancer face emotional issues as a result of their disease or its treatment.
- Finding out that you have cancer and undergoing treatment is stressful. Managing stress may include expressing your feelings to others. Learning relaxation techniques may also be helpful. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation, and support groups may be helpful.
- Your feelings about your body and your sexuality may change following treatment for cancer. It may help to talk openly about your feelings with your partner and to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to refer you to organizations that can offer additional support and information.
Not all forms of cancer or cancer treatment cause pain. If pain occurs, many options are available to relieve it. If your doctor has given you instructions or medications to treat pain, be sure to follow them. Home treatment for pain such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or an alternative therapy like biofeedback may improve your physical and mental well-being. Be sure to discuss any home treatment you use for pain with your doctor.
Cancer treatment has two main goals: curing cancer and making your quality of life as good as possible. For some people with advanced-stage cancer, a time comes when treatment to cure cancer no longer seems like a good choice. This can be because the side effects, time, and costs of treatment are greater than the promise of cure or relief. But this isn't the end of treatment. Palliative care of cancer can improve your quality of life.
It can be difficult to decide when to stop treatment aimed at prolonging life and shift the focus to end-of-life care. For more information, see the topics:
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| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW | Last Updated: November 27, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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