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Post Pelvic Cancer Rehab

Evidence-based pelvic health teaching since 2010
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Post Pelvic Cancer Rehab

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Created OnSeptember 19, 2019
byPHS Team

Post Pelvic Cancer Rehab

Cancer in the Pelvis

Cancers in the pelvis account for a relatively large percentage of new diagnoses for both men and women: 45% of new diagnoses in men and 23% of new diagnoses in women. There are many different types of cancer in the pelvis, some common to both males and females, and some specific to both.

Types of Cancer in the Pelvis

Males

  • Penile
  • Testicular
  • Prostate (most common)

Females

  • Vulvar
  • Vaginal
  • Cervical
  • Endometrial (most common)
  • Ovarian


Males and Females

  • Rectal Anal Colon Cancer
  • Bladder


Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

Side effects can occur with any type of cancer treatment, whether that be surgical, radiation, or chemotherapy. The severity and type of side effects will depend on the specific area or organs effected, size of area treated, type and amount of surgery/radiation/chemotherapy, and overall health and co-morbidities. Commonly experienced symptoms for post pelvic cancer can be categorized into three main groups: urinary, bowel, and sexual.

Urinary Symptoms

  • Urinary urgency
  • Urinary frequency
  • Urge urinary incontinence
  • Stress urinary incontinence
  • Nocturia
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Urinary retention
  • Bladder pain


Bowel Symptoms

  • Fecal or anal incontinence
  • Constipation
  • Pain before, during, or after bowel movements
  • Bleeding with bowel movements


Sexual Function (Male Specific)

  • Erectile dysfunction


Sexual Function (Female Specific)

  • Vaginal stenosis (narrowing)
  • Vaginal shortening
  • Dyspareunia
  • Vaginismus


Sexual Function (Male and Female)

  • Difficulty reaching orgasm
  • Decreased desire and arousal
  • Intimacy challenges


Other

  • Pelvic/abdominal pain
  • Lymphedema
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Stress, anxiety, and depression
  • Overall quality of life challenges


Treatment

Pelvic health physiotherapy is uniquely positioned to address all the above side effects listed, and is therefore a critical component in the recovery and rehabilitation phase of post pelvic cancer. Treatment options may include:

  • Breathing techniques
  • Education on movement
    • Transfers and transitional movements
    • Posture and positioning
    • Mobilityand walking
  • I-L-U abdominal self-massage
    • Constipation
    • Abdominal pain and discomfort
    • Relaxation
  • Scar treatment
    • Myofascial mobility
    • Decrease sensitivity
  • Hemorrhoid and fissure care education
  • Bowel and bladder education
  • Using the bathroom and evacuation positioning techniques
  • Diet modification
    • Adequate water and fiber intake
  • Therapeutic exercise 
    • Whole body reconditioning
  • External myofascial techniques
  • Internal myofascial techniques
  • Pelvic floor muscle training
    • Proprioceptive training
    • Strengthening muscles
      • Stress urinary incontinence
      • Fecal incontinence
      • Erectile dysfunction
    • Lengthening and relaxing muscles
      • Dyspareunia
      • Pelvic pain
      • Urge urinary incontinence
      • Constipation
      • Urinary retention
  • Tips for intimacy
    • Positioning
    • Penile limiter for pain with deep penetration
    • Vacuum devices for erectile dysfunction
    • Education on vaginal dryness (moisturizers and lubricants)
    • Vaginal dilator guidance and treatment plan
  • Mindfulness and meditation
    • Pain
    • Anxiety, stress, and depression
    • Relaxation
  • Lymphedema treatment
  • Visceral mobilization
  • Prioritizing and goal setting
    • Especially important for cancer-related fatigue
  • Pain education
  • Treatment of the nervous system

Post pelvic cancer rehabilitation requires a holistic, whole-person approach, from the way one moves to how they breathe to how they think about pain. Treatment topics addressed in physiotherapy are vast and as unique as each person seeking treatment at a clinic. By addressing these treatment areas and putting them into practice, you are sure to regain confidence and improve your everyday quality of life.

  • For the Patient
    • For The Patient
  • What is Pelvic Floor Health Physiotherapy?
    • What is Pelvic Floor Health Physiotherapy
  • Why Do We Do an Internal Exam?
    • Why Do We Do an Internal Exam?
  • The Biopsychosocial Approach
    • The Biopsychosocial Approach
  • Incontinence – Urinary and Fecal
    • Incontinence: Urinary and Fecal
    • Facts and Myths About Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Females (Or If You Have a Vulva/Vagina)
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Males (or if you have a Penis)
    • The Knack
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Bladder Irritants
  • Overactive Bladder (OAB)
    • Overactive Bladder
    • Bladder Irritants
    • Nocturia
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
    • What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)?
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Females (Or If You Have a Vulva/Vagina)
    • The Knack
    • Constipation
    • Pessary
  • Bowel Dysfunction
    • Bowel Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Females (Or If You Have a Vulva/Vagina)
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Males (or if you have a Penis)
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Constipation
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
  • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Females (Or If You Have a Vulva/Vagina)
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening (Kegels) for Males (or if you have a Penis)
    • The Knack
  • Pelvic Floor Tightness
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
  • Persistent Pelvic Pain
    • Persistent Pelvic Pain
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Pudendal Nerve Irritation
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Endometriosis
    • Endometriosis
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)
    • Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Vaginismus
    • Vaginismus
    • Accommodators and Dilators
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
    • Vulvar Care
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Sleep
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Vulvodynia
    • Vulvodynia
    • Vulvar Care
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Dyspareunia (Painful Penetration)
    • Dyspareunia
    • Vulvar Care
    • Accommodators and Dilators
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Interstitial Cystitis and Bladder Pain Syndrome
    • Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)
    • Diet Modification for IC/BPS
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Pudendal Nerve Irritation
    • Pudendal Nerve Irritation
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy
    • Postpartum
    • Breastfeeding
  • Rectus Diastasis
    • Diastasis
  • Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)
    • Pelvic Girdle Pain
  • Tailbone (Coccyx) Pain
    • Tailbone (Coccyx) Pain
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Sleep
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)
    • Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Sleep
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Menopause
    • Menopause
    • Vulvar Care
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
    • Dyspareunia
  • Lubricants vs Moisturizers
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
  • Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis
    • Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis
    • Bladder Irritants
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Prostatectomy
    • Prostatectomy
  • Paediatrics Pelvic Health
    • Pediatric Pelvic Physiotherapy
  • Transition Related Surgeries
    • Ways a Physiotherapist Can Help With Preparation and Rehabilitation for Transition-Related Surgeries
  • Preparing for Pelvic Surgery
    • Preparing for Pelvic Surgery
  • Post Pelvic Cancer Rehab
    • Post Pelvic Cancer Rehab
  • Post Breast Surgery Rehab
    • Articles coming soon
  • Lichen Simplex, Sclerosis, and Planus
    • Lichen Simplex, Sclerosis, and Planus
    • Accommodators and Dilators
    • Lubricants and Moisturizers
    • Vulvar Care
    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
  • Breastfeeding
    • Breastfeeding
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