Supporting pelvic health & abdominal related concerns (SPARC)

SPARC is a service at St George’s designed with patients to provide support and guidance for people who experience concerns because of their cancer or cancer treatment that affect their pelvic and abdominal area.

Many of these are included in the word cloud below. People tell us that several of these concerns feel intimate to discuss and it can sometimes feel embarrassing.

We wanted to let you know that you are not alone with these concerns and that you are very welcome to discuss them with us.

We hope this information will support you in Talking about pelvic and abdominal consequences of cancer.

Explaining some terms you might hear

This page will link you to a Glossary that explains some terms that you might hear health professionals or other patients using. The Macmillan website is also a good place to look, to make sense of different medical terms you might hear.

Understanding your body

We understand that changes to your body can be difficult to adjust to and may lead to emotional distress. If you are struggling with your Body image, this page shares some tips that you may find helpful.

Preparing for cancer treatment

This recorded workshop provides information and guidance to help you prepare for cancer treatment that might impact on your pelvic or abdominal area. It shares some tips to help you to minimise and manage these issues.

LINK TO WORKSHOP RECORDING

Support throughout your pathway – the SPARC Roadmap

We understand that these concerns can arise at different times throughout your patient pathway. We have designed this roadmap to be a reference guide for you if you ever need any additional information or support.

LINK TO ROADMAP  

Hospital appointments

We understand that it can be difficult to start conversations about intimate parts of your body. We want to reassure you that we are used to these conversations and we want to help you. Follow this link for more information about How and when to ask for help.

Getting the most out of your appointments – www.patients-association.org.uk/getting-the-most-out-of-your-appointment

Support after surgery

The following leaflets provide some information and guidance to help you with your recovery after your surgery.

LINK leaflets

Please see the links below for more information and helpful resources to manage these common consequences of cancer.

• Psychological wellbeing when experiencing pelvic and abdominal consequences of cancer
• Bladder symptoms
• Bowel symptoms
  • Sphincter exercises
  • Holding on programme
• Pelvic health

LINK TO VIDEO MALE PFM

LINK TO VIDEO FEMALE PFM

• Continence

LINK TO VIDEO

• Sex, intimacy and cancer
• • Vaginal dryness
  • Erection difficulties

LINK TO VIDEO

• Fertility
• Menopause

LINK TO VIDEO

• Genital Swelling and Lymphoedema
• Prolapse
• Pelvic pain