Endometrial cancer - Living with womb cancer

After treatment

Women with womb cancer usually have a hysterectomy. This can be a major operation, and recovery may take from 6 to 12 weeks.

During this time you will have to avoid lifting things (for example, children and heavy shopping bags) and doing heavy housework. You won't be able to drive for between three and eight weeks after the operation.

Most women need 4 to 12 weeks off work after a hysterectomy. The recovery time will depend on the type of surgery you have, whether or not any problems develop, and what type of work you will return to.

Some of the treatments for endometrial cancer, particularly radiotherapy, can make you very tired. You may need to take a break from some of your normal activities for a while. Don't be afraid to ask for practical help from family and friends if you need it.

Follow-up

After your course of treatment has finished, you'll probably be invited back for regular check-ups. At the check-up, your doctor will examine you (this is likely to include an internal examination) and possibly carry out blood tests or scans to see how your cancer is responding to treatment.

Want to know more?

Macmillan: follow-up after treatment for womb cancer

Relationships and sex

Relationships with friends and family

Knowing how to talk to your friends and family about your cancer can be difficult, and they may find it hard to talk to you, too. People deal with serious problems in different ways.

It's hard to predict how a diagnosis of cancer will affect you. Being open and honest about how you feel and what your family and friends can do to help may put them at ease. But don't feel shy about telling people that you want some time to yourself, if that's what you need.

Want to know more?

Talking to your kids about cancer
Macmillan: the emotional effects of cancer
Macmillan: telling your friends and family

Your sex life

Womb cancer and its treatment can affect your sex life. This can happen in several ways:

early menopause – if you haven't already had the menopause, removing the ovaries means you'll go through an early menopause; symptoms can include vaginal dryness and loss of sexual desire
changes to your vagina – radiotherapy for endometrial cancer can make your vagina narrower and less flexible. Sometimes the vagina gets so narrow that having sex becomes difficult. To stop this happening, you should be offered a set of vaginal dilators, which are plastic cones you put into your vagina to stretch it. You can also stretch your vagina by having sex, or by using your fingers or a vibrator.
not wanting to have sex – it's common for women to lose interest in sex after treatment for womb cancer. Your treatment may leave you feeling very tired. You may feel shocked, confused or depressed about being diagnosed with cancer, and you also may be grieving the loss of your fertility.

It's understandable that you may not feel like having sex while having to cope with all this. Try to share your feelings with your partner. If you feel you have problems with sex that aren't getting better with time, you may want to speak to a counsellor or a sex therapist.

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Talk to others

Being diagnosed with cancer can be hard, both for patients and their families. You'll need to deal with the emotional and practical difficulties.

With womb cancer, you have to cope physically with recovering from a hysterectomy, as well as the possible emotional impact of losing your womb.

Younger women may have to face the fact they won't be able to have children and all the grief and anger that may cause.

Often, it can help to discuss your feelings and other difficulties with a trained counsellor or therapist. You can ask for this kind of help at any stage of your illness. There are various ways to find help and support:

your hospital doctor, specialist nurse or GP can refer you to a counsellor
if you're struggling with feelings of depression, talk to your GP – a course of antidepressant drugs may be helpful, or your GP can arrange for you to get help from a counsellor or psychotherapist
it may be helpful to talk to someone who's had the same experience as you – many organisations have telephone helplines and forums that may be useful to you, and they can put you in touch with other people who have been through cancer treatment

Want to know more?

Cancer Help UK: coping with cancer
Macmillan: online community
More to Life (support for people who are involuntarily childless)

Money and financial support

If you have to reduce or stop work because of your cancer, you may find it hard to cope financially. If you have cancer or you are caring for someone with cancer, you may be entitled to financial support.

if you have a job but can't work because of your illness, you're entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer
if you don't have a job and can't work because of your illness, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance
if you're caring for someone with cancer, you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance
you may be eligible for other benefits if you have children living at home, or you have a low household income

Find out what help is available to you early on. You can ask to speak to the social worker at your hospital, who can give you the information you need.

Free prescriptions

People being treated for cancer are entitled to apply for an exemption certificate giving free prescriptions for all medication, including medicine for unrelated conditions.

The certificate is valid for five years, after which you can apply for it to be renewed. You can apply for a certificate by speaking to your GP or cancer specialist.

Want to know more?

Benefits for carers and benefits for the person you care for
Find your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau
Free prescriptions for people with cancer Q&A
GOV.UK: benefits
Macmillan: financial issues
Money Advice Service

Dealing with dying

If you're told nothing more can be done to treat your womb cancer, your care will focus on controlling your symptoms and helping you to be as comfortable as possible. This is called palliative care. Palliative care also includes psychological, social and spiritual support for you and your family or carers.

Want to know more?

Accessing palliative care
End of life care
Macmillan: support if you're caring for someone with womb cancer (support line: 0808 808 00 00)
Marie Curie Cancer Care