Remember that your body is as unique as your personality and your fingerprints. Although understanding your cancer's stage and learning about the effectiveness of your treatment options can help predict what health problems you may face, no one can say precisely how you will respond to cancer or its treatment.

You may have special strengths such as a history of excellent nutrition and physical activity, a strong family support system, or a deep faith, and these strengths may make a difference in how you respond to cancer. There are also experienced professionals in mental health services, social work services, and pastoral services who may assist you in coping with your illness.

You can also help in your own recovery from cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices. If you use tobacco, stop now. Quitting will improve your overall health, and the full return of the sense of smell may help you enjoy a healthy diet during recovery. If you use alcohol, limit how much you drink. Have no more than 1 or 2 drinks per day. Good nutrition can help you get better after treatment. Eat a nutritious and balanced diet, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. Ask your cancer care team if you could benefit from a special diet -- they may have specific recommendations for people who have had radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or surgery.

If you are in treatment for cancer, be aware of the battle that is going on in your body. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy add to the fatigue caused by the disease itself. Give your body all the rest it needs so that you will feel better as time goes on. Exercise once you feel rested enough. Ask your cancer care team whether your cancer or its treatments might limit your exercise program or other activities.

Surgery and radiation therapy may sometimes affect a woman's feelings about her body and may lead to specific physical problems that affect sexuality. Your cancer care team can help with these issues, so don't hesitate to share your concerns.

A cancer diagnosis and its treatment are major life challenges, with an impact on you and everyone who cares for you. Before you get to the point where you feel overwhelmed, consider attending a meeting of a local support group. If you need individual assistance in other ways, contact your hospital's social service department or the American Cancer Society for help in contacting counselors or other services.

For years after treatment ends, regular follow-up exams will be very important for you. These can detect recurrence (the cancer coming back). Be sure to tell your doctor about any new or persistent symptoms right away.

Follow-up usually includes a careful general physical exam and blood tests for tumor markers that help recognize recurrence. The choice of which tumor marker blood tests to check depends on the type of cancer a woman has. CA-125 is the tumor marker used in follow-up of women with epithelial ovarian cancers. For women with germ cell tumors, blood tests for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and/or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) are done. Imaging studies such as chest x-rays, CT scans, and ultrasound may also be done if symptoms or other test results suggest a recurrence.

Revised 4-04

Revised: 09/08/2004