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Your Everyday Guide to Living Well With Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer affects nearly a quarter million women in the United States. In 2025 more than 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are expected to be diagnosed, and nearly 13,000 deaths will occur as a result of the disease.
Only about 20 percent of cases are diagnosed in an early stage, and a later-stage diagnosis can come with many physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. This guide will help you navigate life with ovarian cancer, whether you are making decisions for yourself or are the loved one or caregiver of a person who has the disease.
An ovarian cancer diagnosis may change every aspect of life, from the choices you make about diet and exercise to treatment and intimacy.
Diet
When living with ovarian cancer, aim for a balanced diet, especially while undergoing chemotherapy. During chemo, people often experience discomfort and nausea. Eating small snacks and meals throughout the day can prevent nausea from getting worse, as can sticking to bland foods that are easy on your stomach, such as clear broth, crackers, gelatin, ice pops, plain yogurt, and toast. Dairy products, eggs, and nuts can provide extra calories and protein to support nutrition. After treatment, good nutrition is still important. Aim for a high volume of fruits and vegetables, along with lean meats, such as chicken and fish.
Exercise
Cancer treatment side effects include anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia. Exercise is an excellent method of offsetting some of these symptoms. People living with ovarian cancer can benefit from moderate-intensity exercise — even just brisk walking. Consult your oncologist to create an exercise plan that works for you, especially if treatment is ongoing.
Infectious Illnesses
Common infections, such as a cold or flu, can have a greater impact on people with ovarian cancer. “Patients undergoing ovarian cancer treatment have weaker immune systems and an increased risk for infection,” says Kalyan Banda, MD, an assistant professor of medical oncology at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle. “It makes even common infections like colds, flu, or pneumonia riskier, because if you’re in the middle of chemo or other treatment, the symptoms can last longer, become more severe, lead to hospital stays, and potentially delay your cancer treatment.”
To reduce your risk of illness, wash your hands frequently, get the flu and pneumococcal vaccines, and avoid contact with sick people, says Dr. Banda. Your doctor may also recommend a COVID-19 booster, shingles (varicella-zoster virus) vaccine, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shot, and other immunizations to help protect you against serious illness.
If you do get sick, tell your doctor right away, says Banda. “If you get a fever, chills, or cough, let your doctor know, because during treatment, a small infection can get out of hand,” he says.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
When it comes to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), remember that natural doesn’t always mean safe. While studies have shown that some CAM therapies, such as meditation and yoga, are generally safe and effective for people undergoing cancer treatment, other therapies, including herbs and supplements, typically lack solid research to prove their effectiveness and can even interfere with traditional cancer treatments.
Among the complementary therapies being studied is aromatherapy (the use of essential oils). One small study of women with ovarian cancer showed that it helped relieve symptoms such as nausea, pain, and peripheral neuropathy (damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord) and improve mindfulness, a sense of well-being, and sleep.
Before trying any complementary interventions, be sure to talk to your ovarian cancer care team to prevent adverse effects or a disruption to treatment.
Treating ovarian cancer requires a team of doctors and specialists. Members of your care team may include a:
- Gynecologic oncologist
- Radiation oncologist
- Medical oncologist
- Nurse practitioner
- Oncology social workers
- Dietitian or nutritionist
Gynecologic Oncologist
These oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer in female reproductive organs. If surgery is necessary, it is often these doctors who perform it. In some cases, they will also be the ones to lead the treatment plan. In others, depending on how the institution practices, gynecologic oncologists focus on surgery, while medical oncologists make the treatment plan.
Radiation Oncologist
In addition to a gynecologic oncologist, a radiation oncologist is essential to delivering and overseeing radiation treatment. They are especially useful in cases of advanced ovarian cancer, where the cancer has spread out of the ovary to other parts of the body.
Medical Oncologist
A medical oncologist will oversee nonsurgical treatments for ovarian cancer, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. These therapies may prolong life, help treat symptoms, and improve quality of life.
Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner will guide you through various treatment options and procedures while working closely with a doctor to diagnose and manage care.
Oncology Social Workers
Oncology social workers are trained to guide people with cancer and their families through the treatment process. They are allies who can connect you to resources such as individual counseling, support groups, and other related services.
Dietitian or Nutritionist
A registered dietitian or nutritionist can assist you with navigating your diet to help increase quality of life, maintain energy, and reduce inflammation. A dietitian can also help design an eating plan that will accommodate a potential loss of appetite due to treatment.
Living with ovarian cancer can be emotionally challenging. These tips will allow you to better manage issues that may arise from receiving a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and undergoing treatment for it.
Cope With Anxiety and Depression
Many people living with ovarian cancer deal with anxiety and depression. Accepting your feelings and seeking help — whether in the form of friends and family, a mental health professional, or a support group — can be helpful. CAM therapies such as meditation and yoga can also help reduce anxiety and stress, as can healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
“A lot of cancer centers now have psychologists, therapists, social workers who are dedicated to people with cancer. ... Any sort of counseling and therapy is always a great idea,” says Banda.
Undergoing ovarian cancer treatment can divert focus from the people you care about. In some cases, that can make relationships more difficult, while in others, it can strengthen relationships. “Cancer can bring a lot of emotional strain to relationships … [such as] fear, anxiety, depression, anger. All that is completely normal,” says Banda. “Finding ways to cope with a diagnosis and maintain relationships through treatment and beyond is vital to maintaining good mental health.”
Connecting with people, whether a friend, romantic partner, or family member, is one of the most important ways to build resilience and thrive after a cancer diagnosis, says Banda. But many people tend to withdraw when they’re sad or upset, just when they would benefit from others’ support. “Many cancer patients feel like they don’t want to impose their burden on anybody else. They don’t want people looking at them and feeling sad,” says Banda. “So it can become very isolating.”
If you’ve had these thoughts, Banda suggests doing the exact opposite. “Build a community, whether it’s an online or in-person support group, your family, or your friends. … We are all social animals, and that makes a huge difference to whether or not people thrive after a cancer diagnosis.”
Friendships and Ovarian Cancer
A diagnosis of ovarian cancer may result in grief not only for the person with cancer, but also for their close friends. Under this pressure, a relationship will likely change — for better or worse. Often, friends may retreat, not knowing what to say or how to properly cope. Even if you’re unsure of the best way to show up for a friend with ovarian cancer, what’s important is that you stick around and let them know you’re there to support them. Similarly, if you have ovarian cancer, you should be open about your feelings and needs to help maintain strong relationships.
Romantic Relationships and Ovarian Cancer
Any cancer diagnosis can create turmoil in a romantic relationship. Even couples who communicate well may have difficulty talking about it. Listening to one another’s needs and feelings can help with overcoming some emotional obstacles, especially in the face of both financial and medical hardships.
Plans for Starting a Family After Ovarian Cancer
In addition to potential fertility issues resulting from treatments such as chemotherapy and related drugs, ovarian cancer in particular creates a major challenge for those planning to have children. Ovarian cancer treatment may result in the removal of both ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and the uterus, making a natural pregnancy impossible.
If the cancer is caught early enough, treatment may only result in the removal of a single ovary, leaving the other ovary intact. Still, before undergoing treatment, it is important to discuss options with both your partner and your oncologist, including treatment adjustments to preserve fertility, the impact of cancer on your desire to have children, and fertility treatment possibilities.
Dating With Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer and its treatment can cause a lack of confidence and low self-esteem, which can make dating very hard. People with cancer who are dating may want to be open and honest about the situation to alleviate the anxiety and stress that may come with the experience. Additionally, a support group or therapist can help you navigate the feelings that arise while dating.
Sex Life and Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer can result in a loss of confidence and self-esteem, painful sex, and a reduced sex drive. As a result, you may want to consult your medical team to prepare yourself for bodily changes, as well as how to address them. A sexual health specialist can also help you through this aspect of life.
These methods are used to treat ovarian cancer:
- Surgery, often in combination with chemotherapy, is the most common treatment for most ovarian cancers. The extent of the surgery — whether it involves removing one or both ovaries and the uterus, for example — will depend on factors such as how much the cancer has spread and your general health.
- Chemotherapy consists of combinations of drugs that kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy boosts the immune system’s ability to fight the disease.
- Targeted therapy alters the way cancer cells function, including how they interact with other cells. Targeted therapy drugs that have been approved for use in some types of ovarian cancer include bevacizumab (Avastin), mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx (Elahere), and rucaparib camsylate (Rubraca).
- Hormone therapy uses hormones or hormone-blocking drugs to cut off hormones that fuel cancer growth.
Living with ovarian cancer comes with many direct and indirect expenses.
Medication Prices for Ovarian Cancer
Between chemotherapy, regular doctor’s visits, and surgery, total costs can be substantial. One study found that the average cost per year for ovarian cancer care in the United States was more than $200,000 at the start of treatment. Continuing-care estimates ranged from $26,000 to $88,000, and end-of-life care was over $129,000.
Some organizations, such as NeedyMeds, provide information on drug assistance programs and have their own drug discount cards. Others, such as Patient Access Network Foundation, offer copay assistance to people with cancer who have insurance but can’t afford out-of-pocket costs.
Work Life When You’re Living With Ovarian Cancer
Balancing work and ovarian cancer presents a major challenge for many people. The initial decision is whether to continue working through treatment or take time off. This depends on your employer’s expectations and your ability to take time off. It’s a good idea to consult your healthcare team about your responsibilities at work and whether they believe you’ll be able to fulfill them.
If you do work while undergoing treatment, consider when you will need to take medication, for instance, to prevent the side effects from interfering with your ability to work. Organizations such as Cancer and Careers also offer a variety of resources about working during treatment and returning to work after treatment.
Disability Pay for Ovarian Cancer
Anyone living with late-stage ovarian cancer is eligible to apply for disability benefits provided by the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances. In particular, the service is open to those who have worked long enough and paid taxes but can no longer meet job demands due to cancer. It’s not a simple process, but the program may provide a safety net. You can determine if you have worked long enough to apply using Social Security’s guidelines.
Clinical trials allow researchers to use human volunteers to evaluate new ways to detect, prevent, or treat disease.
How to Find a Clinical Trial for Ovarian Cancer
The website ClinicalTrials.gov, maintained by the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, is a searchable database of studies taking place in 50 states and over 200 countries. These include cancer studies supported by the National Cancer Institute, as well as those sponsored by biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance also has a Clinical Trial Navigator and guide on their site.
What to Consider Before Applying for a Clinical Trial
People participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons, such as to receive novel treatments not yet available to the general public or to help move science forward and help other people. There are potential risks, though. For instance, according to the American Cancer Society, researchers may not always know the side effects of an experimental treatment.
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and filled with events dedicated to spreading awareness of the disease and promoting screening for it. Additionally, May is Women’s Health Month, during which many within the ovarian cancer community seek to support one another and spread awareness about the disease. Participating in activities during these awareness months and beyond can help you feel like part of a community and remind you that you’re not alone.
- Most cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed at later stages, making treatment and recovery challenging.
- Managing life with ovarian cancer often requires adjustments to diet, exercise, infection prevention, and more. Treatments may include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapy.
- Optimum management of ovarian cancer can include communicating with a team of healthcare specialists, getting support from loved ones and in the workplace, and learning about ongoing research and advances in ovarian cancer research and treatment.
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