Cervical cancer appears when the cells of the cervix grow abnormally and invade other organs and tissues. Treatments come with side effects that vary depending on the patient’s overall health and their treatments. In some, the side effects are minimal and short term, but for others they can be serious or long term. It is important for the patient to work closely with their doctor to identify and treat the side effects of their treatment.
The following are the more common side effects for the various treatment methods for cervical cancer:
1. Chemotherapy side effects
The most common side effects that a patient undergoing chemotherapy could experience include hair loss, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, mouth sores, burning sensation, and infections. Some of these symptoms can be easily handled through the use of medication such as anti-nausea medication. In the same way, there are steroids available to boost one’s appetite, and blood transfusions to help deal with any form of risk of bleeding or infections. Simple over the counter medication can go a long way in helping deal with relief from mouth sores.
2. Radiation therapy side effects
The most common side effects associated with this form of cervical cancer treatments are skin irritation, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, vaginal pain, frequent urination, early menopause or disruption in menstruation cycle, and burning sensation, or infections. In this case, too, there are various medications which can control and ease out the side effects. The patient would be prescribed topical medication and advised to wear loose and non-irritant clothing to ease out skin irritation. As for vaginal discomfort, the feeling dulls out after the completion of treatment and be advised to avoid any form of intercourse that could worsen the irritation.
3. Surgery side effects
The most common symptoms experienced by a wide array of patients are pain and cramping along with urination and bowel discomfort. Usually, a catheter would be used for a few days after the surgery for urination, and medication would be prescribed to ease the pain. Also, the patient has to not strain the surgical site during recovery.
