When to worry about persistent pelvic pain with womb cancer

Pain low in the abdomen or pelvis can come from the tumour, pressure on nearby organs, inflammation, constipation, urinary infection, or another pelvic problem. Surgery, radiotherapy, and other treatments may also leave tissues tender or affect nerves and muscles. Tell your clinician whether the pain is deep, cramping, burning, or linked with movement, urination, bowel movements, or bleeding. Those details help guide an examination and any needed tests.

Note when the pain began, what makes it better or worse, and whether your sleep, appetite, movement, urine, or bowel habits have changed. Use pain relief only as directed, and check before taking an over-the-counter product because some medicines may conflict with treatment or kidney and stomach problems. Call the cancer team when the symptom is not settling or differs from your usual treatment effects.

Get urgent help for sudden intense pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, faintness, a fever with chills, persistent vomiting, a rapidly swollen abdomen, or inability to pass urine or stool. Tell emergency staff that you have womb cancer and bring your current medicines and treatment information. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused, or severely unwell.

Ask whether the pain could be related to the cancer, treatment, infection, bowel, or bladder; whether an examination or scan is appropriate; and which pain plan is safest for you. Ask what changes should be reported the same day and who to contact outside clinic hours.