Category: Hysterectomy

Sexual Health and Wellbeing

Sexual health and wellbeing are important parts of your overall physical and emotional health. Womb cancer and its treatment can affect these aspects of life in many ways. You may experience changes in how you feel about yourself, your body image, your self-confidence, and how you think others perceive you.

Emotional Impact of Womb cancer Treatment

Everyone’s emotional response to womb cancer and its treatment is unique—but many people share common feelings as they process the experience. It’s entirely natural to go through a wide range of emotions, including low mood, anxiety, frustration, anger, sadness, and shame. These reactions can stem from any aspect of diagnosis and treatment, including changes to the body, identity, and future plans.

There is no timeline for recovery, and every journey is personal. With patience, self-compassion, and open communication, it’s possible to rediscover intimacy in ways that feel authentic to you. 

THISISGO.IE

The platform (on-line portal) which was developed ‘by patients for patients’ in partnerships with healthcare professionals, was launched in Sept 2021 and is aiming to change the landscape in how we support those with gynaecological cancers, including cervical, ovarian, endometrial, vulval and vaginal cancers.

Currently there are still significant deficits in the provision of information and support for women affected by gynaecological cancer the team at thisisGO.ie are working, whilst acknowledging the power of cooperation and collection action, to provide this one-stop shop for these women, their families and Health Care Providers via thisisGO.ie

The platform includes articles, videos, podcasts, useful resources, symptom tracker, decoding the science and service directory content. These materials address every stage of the specific cancer diagnosis, treatment and life with and after this cancer. The platform also supports Health Care Professionals in their clinical practice, offering useful articles such as How to Break Bad News and How to take a Sexual History from a Patient.’

thisisGO.ie is kindly supported by the Irish Cancer Society through its Women’s Health Initiative and by UCD Clinical Research Centre (CRC), OvaCare, GSK, Pfizer and patient donations.

Please see https://thisisgo.ie/

IRISH NETWORK OF GYNAECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY

The Irish Network for Gynaecological Oncology comprises over 30 of Ireland’s foremost gynaecological cancer campaigners, researchers and patient advocates.

The aim of the group is to raise awareness of gynaecological cancers across the Island of Ireland. The group are part of an international effort for 2 major awareness events annually; World Ovarian Cancer Day on May 8th and World Gynaecological Oncology Day on September 20th.

http://www.thisisgo.ie

https://isgo.ie/irish-network-for-gynaecological-oncology/

Medical misogyny and “harrowing” experiences: what are doctors doing to improve outpatient gynaecological procedures?

This is a subject recently explored by a UK parliamentary inquiry.

Reporting its findings in December 2024, the Women and Equalities Committee found that doctors were too often dismissive of symptoms when women presented with reproductive health conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, or heavy menstrual bleeding. The report also singled out the “harrowing experiences” of women in outpatient settings undergoing hysteroscopies and coil fitting as “one of the most troubling aspects of our inquiry.”

The committee learnt that women weren’t always informed about the potential pain that such procedures can induce; nor were they always able to get sufficient pain relief or stop a procedure once it was under way—all practices that, the committee noted, went against medical best practice and guidelines.

https://www.bmj.com/content/390/bmj.r1234

World GO Day Planned Activities in Ireland

Map of World GO Day activities

Medical misogyny and “harrowing” experiences: what are doctors doing to improve outpatient gynaecological procedures?

Intrauterine procedures for outpatients, such as hysteroscopy, have attracted negative media and parliamentary attention for being poorly tolerated by some women, causing pain and even trauma.

In this BMJ feature, Adele Waters reports on how doctors are tackling the problem.

https://www.bmj.com/content/390/bmj.r1234

Lynch Syndrome UK Conference 2025 -Highlights

Below you’ll find short summaries of each talk, with a link to the YouTube recordings on our YouTube channel, as well as links to additional useful resources at the end.

https://www.lynch-syndrome-uk.org/post/lynch-syndrome-conference-2025-highlights

Lynch Syndrome UK – New Website

Check out their newly launched version….lots of information that you might find useful.

https://www.lynch-syndrome-uk.org

Preventing Ovarian Cancer: Living With Consequences

Key Takeaways:
  • Lynch syndrome can necessitate early oophorectomy, leading to abrupt surgical menopause and significant health impacts due to sudden estrogen loss.
  • Estrogen plays a crucial role in protecting bones, joints, brain, heart, and emotional well-being, with its absence exacerbating conditions like osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease.
  • The narrative calls for broader menopause discussions, including the experiences of women undergoing early surgical menopause, and emphasizes the need for more research and nuanced care.
  • The author stresses the importance of managing chronic conditions and mental health post-surgery, advocating for better support and understanding for women facing similar challenges.

https://www.curetoday.com/view/preventing-ovarian-cancer-living-with-consequences?fbclid=IwY2xjawLxciJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB6S0xyT01CVGNNS3pubzNoAR55anv9w480ijD0-9z9uyhoKUcimZWF2FOXBw3KaopIo4QZXQ7C83om8K4goQ_aem_ApoJirQV0HbAzrqG8nUxYA

A Beginner’s Guide to Lynch Syndrome

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/managing-lynch-syndrome