Coping and support

Living with vaginal cancer can be challenging. Although there are no easy answers for coping with vaginal cancer, the following suggestions may help:

• Learn enough about vaginal cancer to feel comfortable making treatment decisions. Ask your doctor to explain the basics of your cancer, such as what types of cells are involved and what stage is your cancer.
• Talk to someone about your feelings. When you feel ready, consider talking to someone you trust about your hopes and fears as you face cancer treatment. This might be a friend, a family member, your doctor, a social worker, a spiritual adviser or a counselor.
• Connect with other cancer survivors. You may find it helpful to talk to other people with vaginal cancer. They can tell you how they′ve coped with problems similar to the ones you′re facing.
• Don′t be afraid of intimacy. Your natural reaction to changes in your body may be to avoid intimacy. Although it may not be easy, discuss your feelings with your partner. You may also find it helpful to talk to a therapist, either on your own or together with your partner. Remember that you can express your sexuality in many ways. Touching, holding, hugging and caressing may become far more important to you and your partner.