The drugs kill cancer cells, but also affect other cells in the body, like cells in hair roots and cells that line the digestive tract. As a result, chemotherapy can cause hair loss, nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores. Doctors can suggest diet changes or medication to ease these problems, and most side effects of chemotherapy gradually disappear during the recovery period or after treatment stops. Each cancer survivor s recovery is different, and a person s adjustment after cancer treatment depends on a number of factors. Vular cancer can cause major life changes in its survivors.
Treatments often affect a woman s ability to have intercourse and to have children.
It is important for women to seek support during and after cancer treatment. In fact, behavioral scientists have found that women who took advantage of a social support system, such as a cancer support group, survived with a better quality of life. Maintain an open dialogue with your cancer care team to address any concerns you have. For some vulvar cancer patients, treatment may involve a clinical trial. Clinical trials are studies conducted with the consent of patients to evaluate a new treatment.