When navigating cancer treatment, it’s common to focus on the immediate, life-saving aspects of care. However, there’s a crucial part of your health that’s often overlooked—your pelvic health. Whether you’re undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy, cancer treatments can significantly impact your pelvic floor, bladder, bowel, and sexual function.
As a pelvic floor physiotherapist, I understand that addressing pelvic health concerns can be uncomfortable or feel secondary to the primary cancer care. But it’s important to remember that your pelvic health is integral to your overall well-being. The good news is that it’s possible to maintain or restore pelvic function with the right support and guidance. A key step toward that is opening a conversation with your doctor. Here are some practical tips to help you talk to your healthcare team about pelvic health during cancer treatment:
- Recognize That Pelvic Health Matters
Your pelvic floor is the group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support your bladder, bowels, and reproductive organs. Cancer treatment can disrupt the normal functioning of this area in various ways. For example, pelvic surgeries (like hysterectomies or prostatectomies), radiation therapy, and chemotherapy can affect bladder control, bowel function, sexual health, and even cause pelvic pain.
Understanding that these issues are common and treatable is the first step in addressing them. It’s not “just a part of the process” or something that you should simply cope with. Pelvic floor issues can often be managed with the right care, and discussing them with your doctor is an important part of that process.
- Be Proactive – Don’t Wait for the Problem to Become a Crisis
Don’t wait until you’re experiencing severe symptoms like incontinence, pain, or prolapse to start the conversation. Proactively raising concerns early gives you the best chance of preventing long-term issues or minimizing symptoms.
If you’ve already noticed changes—whether it’s difficulty with bladder control, constipation, pelvic discomfort, or challenges with intimacy—make sure to bring them up with your doctor. These are valid concerns that can be addressed through pelvic floor physiotherapy, lifestyle modifications, or other treatments.
- Prepare Specific Questions
When you’re meeting with your doctor, it can be helpful to have a list of specific questions or concerns. Think about what’s bothering you most—whether that’s bladder urgency, pelvic pain, sexual difficulties, or issues with bowel movements—and make a note to discuss them. Some questions you might ask include:
- “I’ve noticed that I’m having more difficulty controlling my bladder since starting treatment. Is this normal, and how can I manage it?”
- “Can pelvic floor physiotherapy help with the pain or discomfort I’m experiencing in my pelvis?”
- “Are there any specific exercises or habits I should adopt to support my pelvic health during treatment?”
- “How can I improve my sexual health or intimacy during and after cancer treatment?”
By being specific about your symptoms, you’ll help your doctor understand your needs and provide a more targeted response.
- Know That Your Doctor May Not Have All the Answers
It’s important to recognize that while oncologists and cancer specialists are highly skilled in treating the cancer itself, they may not always have expertise in pelvic health. However, many doctors are aware of the importance of pelvic floor physiotherapy and may refer you to a specialist for more comprehensive care.
If your doctor doesn’t bring up pelvic health, don’t hesitate to ask for a referral to a pelvic floor physiotherapist. We work with cancer patients to improve bladder, bowel, and sexual health, and we can guide you through exercises, strategies, and treatments to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
- Ask About Side Effects of Treatment on Pelvic Health
Certain cancer treatments—especially those that involve radiation, surgery, or hormonal therapy—can have lasting effects on pelvic health. Ask your doctor about potential side effects and what you can do to prevent or manage them. For example:
- Surgery: If you’ve had pelvic surgery (such as a hysterectomy, prostatectomy, or bladder surgery), ask how it might affect your pelvic floor and what steps you can take to maintain pelvic health.
- Radiation: Radiation therapy targeting the pelvic area can lead to long-term pelvic dysfunction. Discuss potential side effects like bladder urgency, pelvic pain, or sexual dysfunction, and ask for strategies to manage them.
- Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy: These treatments can impact pelvic health by altering hormone levels, leading to vaginal dryness or changes in sexual function. Make sure your doctor discusses these side effects and how to address them.
- Remember That Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Help
Pelvic floor physiotherapists are specialists trained to help people with pelvic health concerns. A physiotherapist can guide you through exercises to strengthen or relax the pelvic floor muscles, manage incontinence, reduce pelvic pain, and restore sexual health. They can also provide helpful recommendations of products or tools that may aid in your recovery as well.
Conclusion
Navigating cancer treatment is an emotional and physical challenge, but it’s essential not to overlook your pelvic health. By initiating the conversation with your doctor and seeking support from specialists like pelvic floor physiotherapists, you can address these issues early and improve your quality of life during and after treatment. Remember, your health is multi-faceted, and your pelvic well-being is just as important as your cancer care. Speak up, get the support you need, and take care of yourself as you move forward in your recovery. If you have any questions or concerns about your pelvic health during cancer treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified pelvic floor physiotherapist. We’re here to help!