How cervical cancer will affect your daily life will depend on:
- the stage the cancer is at
- the treatment you're having
Getting help
Treatment for early-stage cancer is not likely to change your daily life. But it can cause understandable anxiety.
Some of the treatments at later stages can be very difficult. They can make you very tired. They can lead to long-term complications (health problems) that are difficult to deal with.
This can happen with chemotherapy and radiotherapy especially. You may need to take a break from your normal activities for a while.
Do not be afraid to ask for help from family and friends.
Ask your specialist nurse about what supports you can get.
Work
Having cervical cancer does not necessarily mean you'll have to give up work. But you may need a lot of time off.
During treatment, you may not be able to carry on working as usual.
How your employer can support you
Your employer is not allowed to discriminate against you because of your illness. They have a duty to make reasonable accommodations to help you cope.
Steps they can take to support you include:
- time off for treatment and medical appointments
- flexibility with working hours
- changing the tasks you have to perform or your working environment
Give your employer as much information as possible. Let them know how much time you will need off and when.
Talk to someone in your human resources department, if you have one. Your union or staff rep can also give you advice.
Financial support
You may be entitled to financial support if you have cancer or are caring for someone with cancer.
Your GP or specialist nurse can tell you what help is available.
Financial support you can apply for
Benefits and schemes that can help with healthcare costs
When to ask for psychological help
You can ask your care team, GP or local cancer support centre about supports.
Do this if you have any of these for more than a few weeks:
- low mood with loss of interest that does not go away
- feeling isolated or lonely
- anxiety or fear your cancer will come back
- feeling strong emotions often - such as anger, frustration, guilt, grief and uncertainty
- concerns about body image
- concerns about loss of intimacy
If you are still in treatment your care team will refer you to the psycho-oncology team.
Sex and loss of intimacy
Many women feel nervous about having sex after treatment for cervical cancer. But it's perfectly safe. Check with your doctor or nurse if you have any worries.
Sex will not make the cancer come back. Your partner cannot catch cancer from you.
You can usually start having sex again a few weeks after finishing radiotherapy. If you have narrowing of the vagina, you can get treatment that will make having sex easier.
If you have had surgery, your doctor will tell you at your review appointment when you can return to sexual activity. It can take more than 3 months before you can have penetrative vaginal sex.
Do not be embarrassed. Ask them any questions that you have. They are there to help you get your life back to normal. Sex is an important part of normal life.
More information and support
You can get information on all aspects of cervical cancer from:
Ask your GP or specialist team about local:
- cancer support centres
- cancer support groups
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
