Cervical Cancer
Healthy Living
After receiving a cervical cancer diagnosis, you may feel as if everything is out of your control. Regain some of that control by taking an active role in how you choose to live your life. While your health care team leads the way medically, you can create a plan for maintaining a positive and sensible lifestyle.
Not sure where to begin or what is safe for you? Read on and ask your health care team for referrals.
Nutrition
Every bite counts, especially after a cancer diagnosis. Scientists continue to link the effects of good – and poor – nutrition to our overall wellness and the risk of disease (including cancer). Some research indicates that better nutrition might even promote faster healing from surgeries and other invasive procedures and increase the success rate of cancer treatment.
Try to get to and maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to eat a well-balanced diet, because no single food has all of the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limit or avoid red and processed meats, sugary drinks and highly processed foods. It is also important to understand the difference between energy-dense foods and nutrient-dense foods. Energy-dense foods are loaded with calories, typically from sugar and fat, and may not have a lot of nutrients. Nutrient-dense foods, such as spinach, have high amounts of nutrients but may not have a lot of calories. Some foods, such as cheese, can be both.
Staying hydrated is essential. Water makes up about 60 percent of your body weight, and your body needs water to function. Although daily fluid needs vary from person to person based on health, activity level and geographic area, the general recommendation is about 10 cups of water per day for men and about 8 cups for women. Some water does come from the foods you eat and from other fluids such as coffee and tea, but you still need to drink water to ensure your body’s cells get the fluid they need, especially if you are experiencing side effects such as diarrhea or vomiting, which can increase your risk for dehydration. If diarrhea is severe, you may not be able to absorb plain water, so a specialized oral rehydration solution may be recommended. Talk to your doctor or dietitian for more information.
Exercise
Being active is an important aspect of improving and maintaining overall health. It may be helpful to think of being as fit as possible as another prescription in your treatment plan. It can offer benefits to people before, during and after cancer treatment, including tolerating treatment better, maintaining mobility and flexibility, and improving overall well-being and self-esteem. It can also reduce the risk of future cancers, boost your immune system, reduce fatigue, lower anxiety and depression, build strength, release tension and help reduce body weight.
According to the American Cancer Society’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors, survivors should aim to engage in regular physical activity and exercise for at least 150 minutes a week, including strength training twice a week.
Positive Self-Image
Maintaining a healthy self-image and sense of well-being can be difficult for many reasons. You may feel self-conscious about being labeled a cervical cancer survivor because of the associated stigma, or you may be uncomfortable with the physical aftereffects of treatment. Feeling better about yourself begins with taking good care of yourself physically. Also, talk with your health care team about managing any side- or long-term effects you are experiencing.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol, but if you choose to drink it, limit your consumption to one drink per day.
Nicotine
Research shows that smoking is linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer, smoking-related cancers and other health problems. Quitting smoking and other nicotine products will have immediate and long-term benefits. Your radiation therapy or chemotherapy will most likely be more effective, and you may experience fewer side effects.
Sleep
The most common problems among people being treated for cancer are insomnia (the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep), disruption of the wake-sleep cycle and excessive sleepiness. Getting a good night’s sleep can be healing, and it is important to find ways to get the rest you need. Try the following:
- Set a routine for sleeping and waking
- Limit daytime napping
- Get daily exercise
- Avoid large meals before bedtime
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Try drinking warm milk or herbal tea
- Reserve your bed for sleeping
- Dim lights and set a comfortable temperature to create a restful environment in your bedroom
