Advanced endometrial cancer: building your support network

While not an official medical term, “advanced cancer” is often used to describe cancers that cannot be cured.

Advanced endometrial cancer can refer to cancer that began in the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) but has spread into nearby tissues or lymph nodes (locally advanced) or spread to distance sites of the body (metastasized).

Advanced endometrial cancer is often grouped alongside recurrent and high-risk cancers. Recurrent endometrial cancers have returned after treatment. High-risk endometrial cancers are more aggressive, more likely to spread, and more likely to recur. Treatment recommendations often overlap between these categories.

Any cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. It requires a person to put many parts of their life on hold while they learn about the diagnosis, meet with multiple healthcare providers, inform loved ones, and make treatment decisions.

While navigating these decisions, a person must also cope with the distress, uncertainty, physical changes to their body, and concerns about family, finances, and other important parts of their life. These challenges are often compounded when diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer.

Everyone diagnosed with advanced endometrial cancer can benefit from having a good social support network.

Why you need a support system

After a cancer diagnosis, it’s common to find yourself faced with many new responsibilities and less time for all the responsibilities that were already in place. A support system is a network of people who can provide help and assistance where you need it.

Cancer is a different experience for everyone, and everyone will need different types of support. While there are many types of support, support often falls into two broad categories:

• Practical help. This refers to things like transportation, grocery shopping, errands, preparing meals, household chores, and anything else that someone can do to take something off your to-do list or make day-to-day life a little easier.
• Emotional support. This is having someone to talk to about the emotions you are experiencing, or someone to spend time with when you need a break from thinking about cancer.

It’s important to note that these types of support can overlap. For example, a friend or loved one who drives you to an appointment is providing practical support, but they can also be there to listen after the appointment.

The people who are a part of your support system

Some of the people who can be a part of a support system include:

Your healthcare team

Your healthcare providers are there to guide you through treatment. This includes helping you understand your diagnosis and treatment options. It also includes preparing you for the demands of treatment, which can be both physical and emotional. Be open and honest with your healthcare team about your concerns, your challenges, and how you are feeling. Ask as many questions as you need. Your providers are there to help you.

Oncology social worker

An oncology social worker is a valuable member of your healthcare team. If you aren’t working with one already, ask if one is available. Oncology social workers are licensed professionals who help individuals with cancer and families navigate diagnosis, treatment decisions, finances, and other areas where support is needed. Oncology social workers can also provide counseling.

Counselors and mental health services

In addition to working with an oncology social worker, consider working with a counselor, a mental health professional, or a spiritual/religious advisor. These resources can help you learn different strategies for coping with stress and making decisions, and can also benefit caregivers, family members, and loved ones.

Friends and loved ones

Family, friends, and loved ones are a valuable source of both practical and emotional support when living with and treating cancer. Spend time thinking about the types of support you need and who you can reach out to. Also spend time thinking about the types of support that you do not need. People may reach out with ideas for help, but those may not always align with what you want and what you need.

Support groups

Consider participating in a support group or an online community for people who are living with endometrial cancer. Support groups offer the opportunity to connect with others who know what the experience can be like, where you can share your experiences, exchange what you've learned, and also provide support to others.

Ask a healthcare team or oncology social worker if they can recommend a support group. You can also check with organizations such as CancerCare and The American Cancer Society.