Hi Mayann and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with a vaginal tumour. I’m really glad to hear your tumour has got smaller, even though treatment can feel very hard.

Constipation is a common problem with chemo and radiotherapy, and it’s completely okay to talk about it. Because you already struggle with it, it makes sense that you’re feeling anxious.

We have information about constipation on our website which you may find helpful to read.

The main points to remember are to drink plenty of water during the day. This helps your gut work better. Try to eat more fibre, like fruit, vegetables, and wholemeal bread, if you can. Keep moving gently, like short walks, as this can help your bowels work.

Tell your hospital specialist or nurse about your constipation. They can give you medicines, like laxatives, to help keep your bowels soft and easier to pass. Please do not wait until you are very uncomfortable. It is always better to ask early, as it is easier to manage if treated sooner.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support

It might help to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. You can call for free on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Kind regards,

Tina