Many important acts may improve the comfort of patients apparently cured of their cancer.
For breast carcinoma, we can name examples like functional shoulder rehabilitation, skin care, the possible choice of an external mammary prosthesis and the prevention (and treatment) of superior limb oedema, surgical breast reconstruction, contraception and possibly pregnancy.
For head and neck cancer, many technical procedures can noticeably modify the quality of life of our patients: care and devices specifically designed for tracheotomy, vocal rehabilitation after total laryngectomy, functional cervicobrachial rehabilitation, tooth care, adapted diet, treatment of hyposialia or of agueusia after cervical irradiation.
After gynaecological cancers, many problems arise; for instance vaginal dryness after radiotherapy or brachytherapy or vaginal narrowing and shortening after surgery. Such problems can induce many sexual difficulties which should be taken into account. Similarly, the correction, if possible, of early menopause can change the lives of young women.
For urological cancers many problems also arise: adaptation and fear of personal care of urinary stomies, difficulty in finding a tight and secure urine collector. Post therapeutic sexual problems may be difficult to resolve, noticeably when large age differences exist between partners: the use of Viagra or Cialis or even of penis prosthesis should be proposed. For younger patients, the pre-therapeutic conservation of sperm should be systematic in order to maximally avoid sterility after chemotherapy. Artificial insemination can sometimes be necessary.
Digestive cancers also involve a number of sequelae: if a colostomy is necessary, a stoma nurse may help the patient to adapt to new situations (patient associations may also be helpful). There may also be associated sexual disorders.
Cancer in children may induce growth disorders when puberty occurs. Although, nowadays, irradiation is generally prevented, a few spinal disorders or gonadic sequelae may still be observed. On the other hand, delayed schooling and psychological disorders may also necessitate specialised advice.