Vulvar Cancer: Newly Diagnosed
Being told you have vulvar cancer can be scary, and you may have many questions. But
you have people on your healthcare team to help.
Coping with fear
It’s normal to feel afraid. Learning more about your cancer and your treatment options
can make you feel less afraid. It also helps you work with your healthcare team to
make the best choices for your treatment.
Working with your healthcare team
Your healthcare team will likely include:
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Gynecologist. This is a healthcare provider who specializes in the health and diseases of the female
reproductive system.
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Gynecologic oncologist. This is a healthcare provider who treats cancers in the organs of the female reproductive
system, including the vulva, using surgery and medicines.
-
Medical oncologist. This is a healthcare provider who specializes in treating cancer with chemotherapy
and other medicines.
-
Radiation oncologist. This is a healthcare provider who specializes in treating cancer with radiation.
They will answer any questions you may have. They’ll help you through each of the
steps you’ll take before, during, and after treatment. Your team will let you know
what tests you need and the results of those tests. They’ll guide you in making treatment
decisions. They’ll also help prepare you and your loved ones for what’s ahead.
Learning about treatment choices
To decide the best course of treatment for you, your healthcare team needs to know
as much as they can about your cancer. This may mean getting tests and working with
more than one healthcare provider. And you may decide that you want to get a second
opinion to help you choose the treatment that's best for you. Your team can help you
with this.
Getting support
Coping with cancer can be very stressful. Talk with your healthcare team about seeing
a counselor. They can refer you to someone who can help. You can also visit support
groups in person or online to talk with other people coping with cancer. Ask your
healthcare team about support groups and services near you.