An ovarian cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of life. Because ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, treatment may begin immediately. You may need to quickly organize your life around medical appointments and treatment while managing side effects, work, relationships, and daily responsibilities.
Your new “normal” may look very different, but several strategies can ease the transition:
Know What to Expect
Ask your doctor what to expect. Learn as much as you can about your cancer and ask what may happen during and after treatment. This can help you prepare for the future.
“We try to break things down and focus on the next step so it does not feel so overwhelming,” says Dr. Stephanie Wethington, director of the Susan L. Burgert, MD, Gynecologic Oncology Survivorship Program at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
This can also help you manage the uncertainty that follows a diagnosis.
Manage Your Energy
Treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy place significant demands on the body. Allow time to recover so you can regain your strength after treatment.
Rouse says she identified a pattern in how her body processes medication. “Two and a half to three days after treatment is when I may feel sick, so I need to adjust my schedule,” she says. “I make sure I have time to be ill and recover, and then I can continue with the rest of my life.”
Treatment side effects may leave you without the energy for even simple tasks. Cooking was once a passion for Rouse, but recently she lacked the energy to make her favorite risotto. “I cannot stand in the kitchen long enough to finish it. The whole process takes about 45 minutes, and you have to pay attention throughout.”
Adjust How You Work
Whether to work during cancer treatment is a personal decision. Do what is right for you. If you are unsure, ask your doctor what is best for your health and when you may be able to return to work.
Rachel Putman, 39, is a vice president at JPMorgan Chase. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2020 and stage III ovarian cancer that June.
“Brain fog has been the hardest part for me, especially with the type of work I do,” says Putman, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. Managing treatment for two cancers while working became especially difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am a vice president at a large company, and we work at a very fast pace. When the pandemic began, I would have a PET scan or an IV in my arm, then return to work until 9 p.m. We had to figure out how to work virtually and adapt to a new environment, and I could no longer do all of that.”
Tell Your Doctor If You Plan to Become Pregnant
If you plan to become pregnant, Dr. Wethington recommends telling your doctor before any treatment begins so you can explore all available options together.
“The key is to have a conversation so the patient and surgeon understand the goals and possible outcomes,” she says. Specialists such as reproductive endocrinologists can provide evaluation and counseling.
When Putman’s doctors found a suspected ovarian mass, they knew she was trying to become pregnant. They considered all factors before deciding on treatment.
“They did not want to take away my ability to have children, so we performed a limited surgery. They preserved my fertility as much as possible,” she says.
Loss of fertility after surgery can be difficult to accept. Speak with your doctor or therapist for support.
Get Support
Emotional support and practical help are both essential. Cancer-related fatigue may make it difficult to lift objects, move around, do household tasks, or care for children. Soon after surgery, you may be unable to lift heavy objects or climb stairs.
Local support groups can connect you with people who have had similar experiences. Ask family and friends to help with housework, errands, or other daily tasks.
Putman says one of the most thoughtful things her friends did was hire someone to clean her home while she and her husband managed her cancer treatment.
A local support group did not improve Rouse’s spirits, so she founded a nonprofit called Cancer Coaching Network. “It provides coaching sessions to help women navigate this experience,” she says.
If you feel depressed or find it difficult to cope, speak with your doctor or therapist.
Ask About Palliative Care
Dr. Wethington suggests thinking of palliative care services as your “quality-of-life coach.” This specialized care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and social workers who work alongside your oncologist.
While your oncologist focuses on treating the cancer, the palliative care team manages cancer symptoms, treatment side effects, and other stressors.
Ask Your Care Team for Help
After an ovarian cancer diagnosis, you may need help with issues ranging from emotional coping to paying for treatment. Members of your cancer care team can help you identify available resources. Your team may include doctors, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.
For example, Dr. Wethington says social workers can be extremely helpful.
“Social workers can help you access resources, understand insurance, arrange equipment you may need at home, provide supportive counseling, and serve in a therapeutic role.”
Continue Follow-Up Care
After completing a course of treatment, you may feel both relieved and anxious. Your doctor will monitor your recovery through follow-up appointments and long-term surveillance. Ask about the recommended follow-up schedule and keep those appointments.
Because ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, recurrence is common. If it returns, your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on the cancer’s exact location, your previous treatments, and your overall health. Some people need intermittent treatment for many years.
Keep copies of your medical records and health insurance claims. This can make the transition smoother if you need to change doctors.
There is no way to guarantee that cancer will not return. Healthy habits such as exercise, a balanced diet, and stress reduction may help, but no single approach is a cure-all.
Knowledge | A Guide to Living Beyond Ovarian Cancer
Adapting to Life with Ovarian Cancer
An ovarian cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of life. Because ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, treatment may begin immediately. You may need to quickly organize your life around medical appointments and treatment while managing side effects, work, relationships, and daily responsibilities.
Your new “normal” may look very different, but several strategies can ease the transition:
Know What to Expect
Ask your doctor what to expect. Learn as much as you can about your cancer and ask what may happen during and after treatment. This can help you prepare for the future.
“We try to break things down and focus on the next step so it does not feel so overwhelming,” says Dr. Stephanie Wethington, director of the Susan L. Burgert, MD, Gynecologic Oncology Survivorship Program at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
This can also help you manage the uncertainty that follows a diagnosis.
Manage Your Energy
Treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy place significant demands on the body. Allow time to recover so you can regain your strength after treatment.
Rouse says she identified a pattern in how her body processes medication. “Two and a half to three days after treatment is when I may feel sick, so I need to adjust my schedule,” she says. “I make sure I have time to be ill and recover, and then I can continue with the rest of my life.”
Treatment side effects may leave you without the energy for even simple tasks. Cooking was once a passion for Rouse, but recently she lacked the energy to make her favorite risotto. “I cannot stand in the kitchen long enough to finish it. The whole process takes about 45 minutes, and you have to pay attention throughout.”
Adjust How You Work
Whether to work during cancer treatment is a personal decision. Do what is right for you. If you are unsure, ask your doctor what is best for your health and when you may be able to return to work.
Rachel Putman, 39, is a vice president at JPMorgan Chase. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2020 and stage III ovarian cancer that June.
“Brain fog has been the hardest part for me, especially with the type of work I do,” says Putman, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. Managing treatment for two cancers while working became especially difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am a vice president at a large company, and we work at a very fast pace. When the pandemic began, I would have a PET scan or an IV in my arm, then return to work until 9 p.m. We had to figure out how to work virtually and adapt to a new environment, and I could no longer do all of that.”
Tell Your Doctor If You Plan to Become Pregnant
If you plan to become pregnant, Dr. Wethington recommends telling your doctor before any treatment begins so you can explore all available options together.
“The key is to have a conversation so the patient and surgeon understand the goals and possible outcomes,” she says. Specialists such as reproductive endocrinologists can provide evaluation and counseling.
When Putman’s doctors found a suspected ovarian mass, they knew she was trying to become pregnant. They considered all factors before deciding on treatment.
“They did not want to take away my ability to have children, so we performed a limited surgery. They preserved my fertility as much as possible,” she says.
Loss of fertility after surgery can be difficult to accept. Speak with your doctor or therapist for support.
Get Support
Emotional support and practical help are both essential. Cancer-related fatigue may make it difficult to lift objects, move around, do household tasks, or care for children. Soon after surgery, you may be unable to lift heavy objects or climb stairs.
Local support groups can connect you with people who have had similar experiences. Ask family and friends to help with housework, errands, or other daily tasks.
Putman says one of the most thoughtful things her friends did was hire someone to clean her home while she and her husband managed her cancer treatment.
A local support group did not improve Rouse’s spirits, so she founded a nonprofit called Cancer Coaching Network. “It provides coaching sessions to help women navigate this experience,” she says.
If you feel depressed or find it difficult to cope, speak with your doctor or therapist.
Ask About Palliative Care
Dr. Wethington suggests thinking of palliative care services as your “quality-of-life coach.” This specialized care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and social workers who work alongside your oncologist.
While your oncologist focuses on treating the cancer, the palliative care team manages cancer symptoms, treatment side effects, and other stressors.
Ask Your Care Team for Help
After an ovarian cancer diagnosis, you may need help with issues ranging from emotional coping to paying for treatment. Members of your cancer care team can help you identify available resources. Your team may include doctors, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.
For example, Dr. Wethington says social workers can be extremely helpful.
“Social workers can help you access resources, understand insurance, arrange equipment you may need at home, provide supportive counseling, and serve in a therapeutic role.”
Continue Follow-Up Care
After completing a course of treatment, you may feel both relieved and anxious. Your doctor will monitor your recovery through follow-up appointments and long-term surveillance. Ask about the recommended follow-up schedule and keep those appointments.
Because ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, recurrence is common. If it returns, your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on the cancer’s exact location, your previous treatments, and your overall health. Some people need intermittent treatment for many years.
Keep copies of your medical records and health insurance claims. This can make the transition smoother if you need to change doctors.
There is no way to guarantee that cancer will not return. Healthy habits such as exercise, a balanced diet, and stress reduction may help, but no single approach is a cure-all.