Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Affects Pelvic and Sexual Health

Treatments for Gynecologic Cancers Can Affect Sexual Function and Responses to Intimacy

Side effects of gynecologic cancer and its treatment can affect sexual identity and sexual health

While many of the side effects of cancer and its treatment cannot be seen, they can still have a detrimental effect on cancer patients' sense of well-being and quality of life. One of these is the side effects that cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy have on pelvic and sexual health.

According to the University Health Network, the changes experienced from treatments for gynecologic cancers can affect patients' sexuality in different ways, both directly and indirectly. It often involves a lot of creativity, communication and patience to copy with them while dealing with cancer and still maintain a sexual identity and sexual health.

Vaginal Stenosis, Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness and Urinary Incontinence Can Result from Gynecologic Cancer and Its Treatment

Some of the ways that cancer and its treatments can impact healthy pelvic and sexual function are:

• Radiation to the pelvis can cause vaginal dryness and stenosis (narrowing and shortening of the vagina) that can lead to pain with penetration or intercourse ("dyspareunia") or even pelvic exams that are so important for cancer reoccurence monitoring
• Pelvic radiation and chemotherapy can lead to pelvic floor muscle wasting and weakness which can lead to urinary/fecal incontinence and even pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Can Help Restore Sexual Function and Pelvic Health After Cancer

At Cancer Rehab Canada, a trained pelvic health physiotherapist can be an invaluable resource to help cancer patients overcome the side effects that cancer treatment may have on their sexual and pelvic health. According to Liane McCabe, Physiotherapist at the LifeMark Bathurst Clinic, pelvic floor rehabilitation includes:

• Teaching patients how to locate and strengthen pelvic floor muscles to improve bowel/bladder control or pelvic organ prolapse
• Teaching patients how to relax and stretch tight pelvic floor muscles to make sexual intercourse and pelvic examinations less painful
• Educating patients on techniques to improve the health of their vaginal tissues

For more resources on cancer and sexual and pelvic health please visit:
Canadian Cancer Society – Sexuality and Cancer
University Health Network Gynecologic Cancers
Ovarian Cancer Canada
Foundation for Women’s Cancer

Please contact one of our 62 Cancer Rehab locations across Canada. Links will direct to a Cancer Rehab provider in your area.

Alberta
British Columbia
Saskatchewan & Manitoba
Ontario
Nova Scotia

Managing Side Effects of Ovarian Cancer Treatment with Cancer Rehab

Cancer rehabilitation can help manage the side effects of ovarian cancer treatment

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

For ovarian cancer patients, cancer rehabilitation can help manage the pelvic pain, urinary incontinence and vaginal stenosis often experienced after cancer treatment. Specially trained pelvic health physiotherapists who have received additional training typically perform an internal examination of the musculature of the pelvic floor. This examination will determine whether there are areas of scar adherence or weak musculature that can be addressed through rehab techniques. Internal treatment techniques for the pelvic floor muscles as well as connective tissues and nerves can address these pelvic floor disorders. A good resource to find out more about pelvic floor rehabilitation is Pelvic Health Solutions.

Follow-up after treatment of ovarian cancer often involves physical exams and blood tests for tumor markers that help identify whether the cancer will come back. But when discussion with your doctor includes what you can do about other side effects of ovarian cancer treatment, that's where cancer rehabilitation can also help.

Exercise prescriptions provided by cancer rehab professionals can go a long way in reducing the pain and fatigue often experienced by ovarian cancer patients. Pain and parathesia are also managed by acupuncture and TENS - both good ways to manage symptoms with reduced medication.

Cognitive Behavioural Techniques Help Overcome Hormonal Changes, Anxiety and Depression

Hormonal changes, anxiety and depression are other effects sometimes experienced by ovarian cancer patients after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Cognitive behavioural techniques used by occupational therapists are often helpful in overcoming these issues and can provide you with the emotional strength to return to living a full life again. In addition, acupuncture, exercise, and massage therapy all help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

Knowledge of Ovarian Cancer Signs and Symptoms Needed

Ovarian Canada states that when it comes to ovarian cancer, knowledge is power. Ovarian cancer is diagnosed annually in nearly a quarter of a million women globally, and in Canada there are 17,000 women living with this disease. Since it is very difficult to detect ovarian cancer and there is no early detection test for it, the national organization has a goal of spreading awareness of the signs and symptoms to help detect it.

Please contact one of our 62 Cancer Rehab locations across Canada. Links will direct to a Cancer Rehab provider in your area.

Ontario
British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan & Manitoba

Nova Scotia