A cancer diagnosis is life-changing. It has short and long-term physical, emotional and psychological consequences. For women facing cancer, the impact often extends beyond treatment to concerns about fertility, hormonal health, menopause, identity, sexuality, survivorship and overall well-being. The support services a woman needs when coping with cancer must offer unique and comprehensive support.
CANCER AND FERTILITY
For many women, questions about how to cope with a cancer diagnosis while navigating the fertility world can be urgent and deeply personal.
Some important discussions may include:
- Decision-making around fertility preservation
- Creating questions for healthcare teams
- Supporting conversations with partners about reproductive goals
- Exploring emotions around infertility, grief, and isolation
- Connecting individuals to fertility-related supports in the community
SURGICAL/TREATMENT-INDUCED MENOPAUSE
Cancer treatments may trigger sudden or early menopause, often with intense physical and emotional symptoms due to the quick onset.
Support for this population may include:
- Psychoeducation about the impact of menopause, understanding mood changes, identity shifts, and relationship challenges
- Providing emotional support around grief, loss, and anxiety related to the sudden onset of menopausal symptoms
- Providing tools and strategies to increase resiliency, strengthen advocacy skills, and build a sense of control
- Exploring the impact on body image, sexuality, and intimacy
- Connecting women to other supports, such as a psychiatrist, sleep consultant, dietitian, and other expert clinicians
THE IMPACT OF CANCER
Cancer may be associated with a host of physical, emotional and psychological symptoms that can impact daily living. Women with newly diagnosed cancer, living with cancer, or those who have completed cancer treatment often experience:
- Fear of recurrence
- Identity shifts
- Body, sexuality and intimacy changes
- Interpersonal relationship changes (family, children, friends, colleagues)
- Short-term and long-term side effects (emotional and physical)
- Difficulty navigating transitions and coping with the unknown
Women with cancer who experience acute life changes, surgical/treatment-induced menopause or fertility challenges, and post-treatment uncertainty need more than physical treatments; they need comprehensive care that builds their resilience as they address the emotional, interpersonal and practical realities that they face.
There is help available, and you do not need to cope with this alone. At BRIA, Emma Rinaldo is social worker whose areas of expertise include providing therapy to individuals who are managing acute or chronic health conditions either from reproductive health challenges or from cancer-related diagnoses.
Book with Emma at THIS link to get help from a BRIA expert.
