Treatment Related Morbidity in Cervical Cancer

As diagnostic, screening and treatment options for cervical cancer become more efficient, more people will benefit from treatment and therefore survive longer. Modern treatment options for cervical cancer, despite advantages in survival, carry a broad spectrum of morbidities, leaving survivors with chronic treatment related conditions, the management of which requires complex multidisciplinary expert approaches. It is of utmost importance for health care providers to recognize that aspects of cancer survivorship continue to require attention and complex follow-up care. The United Kingdom National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI) group, created in the UK in 2009 has highlighted the following principles of care for cancer survivors: a personalised assessment and care plan, access to specialist medical care for complications that occur after cancer, support to self-management of their condition by patients and information on the long-term effects of living with and beyond cancer. This article provides a brief overview of treatment related morbidity for cervical cancer and rises awareness of health professionals of the need to address these complications.