Diet for Ovarian Cancer
When living with ovarian cancer, one should aim for a balanced diet, especially when undergoing chemotherapy. Often when undergoing treatment, patients will experience nausea and discomfort. Foods like eggs, nuts, or dairy products can provide extra calories and proteins to support nutrition. After treatment, good nutrition still remains vital. Aim for a high volume of fruits and vegetables along with lean meats like chicken and fish for protein.
Exercising With Ovarian Cancer
Cancer treatment can cause side effects such as fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia. Exercise is an excellent method of offsetting some of these symptoms. If treatment is ongoing, patients should consult with their oncologist about an exercise plan. The American College of Sports Medicine and American Cancer Society recommend 150 minutes per week of cardiovascular exercise and two to three days per week of strength training.
Ovarian Cancer and Coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic provides a unique and dangerous threat to people with cancer, as data suggests that patients living with cancer are at a heightened risk of contracting the virus and suffering severe consequences as a result of it. Women who are currently undergoing active treatment for ovarian cancer, chemotherapy, or any other targeted treatments affecting the immune system are considered to be at an increased risk. In addition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines surrounding social distancing and use of masks, women living with ovarian cancer should take every available precaution to avoid contracting the virus. Because cancer patients typically have a weakened immune system, these precautions may include getting a COVID vaccine. In fact, the American Cancer Society supports the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s guidelines recommending that cancer patients undergo full COVID vaccination plus boosters.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Ovarian Cancer
In addition to medical treatment, there are a variety of complementary therapies available to people living with ovarian cancer. One option is the use of essential oils, which can help counter anxiety and depression, as well as alleviate the side effects of conventional treatment. Other complementary supplements, such as turmeric and apple cider vinegar, have also been widely touted for their therapeutic effects by patients. These methods, however, lack support from scientific studies. Before trying any vitamins, supplements, or complementary interventions, patients should discuss it with their care team to prevent adverse effects or unexpected treatment outcomes. RELATED: 9 Scientific Benefits of Following a Plant-Based Diet
Gynecologic oncologistRadiation oncologistMedical oncologistNurse practitionerOncology social workersNutritionist
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 treatment plans for ovarian cancer. In others, depending on how the institution practices, gynecological oncologists focus on surgery while medical oncologists make the treatment plan.
Radiation Oncologist
In addition to a gynecologic oncologist, radiation oncologists are 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 immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Medication may prolong life, help treat symptoms, and assist in improving quality of life.
Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner will help guide a patient through various treatment options and procedures while working closely with a doctor to diagnose and manage care.
Oncology Social Workers
From individual counseling to support groups and referrals to related services, oncology social workers are trained to work with patients and their families and give them an ally to help them through the treatment process.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist will assist patients in navigating their diet in a way that can help maintain energy, reduce inflammation, and increase quality of life in the process of battling the disease. A nutritionist can also help design a diet that will accommodate potential loss of appetite due to treatments. RELATED: Complications of Ovarian Cancer: How Does It Affect Your Body in the Short and Long Term?
Managing Depression and Ovarian Cancer
Many patients living with ovarian cancer suffer from depression. Accepting your feelings and seeking help, whether in the form of friends and family, treatment, support groups, or exercise, is the best way to cope.
Managing Anxiety and Ovarian Cancer
Whether as a result of treatment or from the stress of diagnosis, patients living with ovarian cancer often struggle with anxiety. As is the case with depression, seeking help in treatment, friends and family, exercise, or support groups help alleviate and address symptoms. Essential oils in particular are one form of complementary treatment that have been found to possibly have a positive effect on relaxing patients and alleviating anxiety. Other complementary therapies may include meditation, massages, aromatherapy, and acupuncture. RELATED: Cancer Tips: Acupuncture Helps Cancer-Related Pain, Thyroid Cancer on the Decline, and More
Your Friendships and Ovarian Cancer
A diagnosis of ovarian cancer may result in grief not only for a patient, but for close friends as well. Under this pressure, a relationship may either strengthen or crumble. Often, friends may retreat, not knowing what to say or how to properly cope. Thus, communication is important for anyone who is a friend of someone living with ovarian cancer. Similarly, if you are a patient, you should be open about your needs and feelings to help maintain strong relationships.
Your Romantic Relationships and Ovarian Cancer
Any cancer diagnosis brings a massive strain to a romantic relationship. Even couples who communicate well may have difficulties talking about it. Listening to one another’s needs and feelings can help overcome some emotional obstacles, especially in the face of both financial and medical hardships. The American Society of Clinical Oncology has compiled additional tips for spouses and partners on how to navigate life affected by cancer.
Family Planning With Ovarian Cancer
In addition to potential fertility issues resulting from treatments like 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 caught early enough, treatment may only result in the removal of a single ovary, leaving another ovary intact. Still, before undergoing treatment, it is important to discuss options with your partner and oncologist about adjusting treatment to preserve fertility, the impact of cancer on your desire for children, and options for fertility treatment.
Dating With Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer and its treatment can cause low self-esteem and lack of confidence, which can make dating very hard. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic advise people dating with cancer to be open and honest about their situation to alleviate the stress and anxiety that may come with the experience. Additionally, support groups or a therapist may help you navigate the feelings that arise while dating.
Sex Life With Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer can result in reduced sex drive, loss of self-esteem and confidence, and painful sex. As a result, a patient may want to consult their medical team to prepare themselves for bodily changes as well as how they can address them. A sexual health specialist can also help you through this aspect of your recovery. RELATED: Is There Sex After Ovarian Cancer?
Chemotherapy Chemotherapy consists of combinations of drugs that interfere with the machinery of cancer cells.Immunotherapy These therapies boost the patient’s immune system’s ability to help fight the disease.Targeted Therapy Targeted therapy uses drugs to interact with specific cellular targets in order to interfere with the replication and basic function of cells. So far, one targeted therapy drug, bevacizumab (Avastin), has been approved for use in ovarian cancer.Hormone Therapy Hormone therapy utilizes hormones or hormone-blocking drugs to cut off hormones that fuel cancer growth.
Medication Prices for Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer usually requires three to six rounds of chemotherapy, each of which costs between $6,000 to $16,000. Between chemotherapy, regular doctor’s visits, and surgery, total costs can amount to north of $200,000. Some organizations, like NeedyMeds, provide information on drug assistance programs and have their own drug discount cards, while 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.
Managing Your Work Life 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 decision depends on expectations from your employer and your ability to take time off. It’s a good idea to consult with 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 the times at which you will need to take medication, for instance, to prevent the side effects of treatment from interfering with your ability to work. Organizations such as Cancer and Careers also offer a variety of resources when trying to make decisions about working during treatment and returning to work after treatment.
Can You Apply for Disability if You Have Ovarian Cancer?
Any woman who is living with late-stage ovarian cancer is eligible 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 who can no longer meet the demands of their jobs due to their illness. While it’s not a simple process to apply, the program may provide a safety net.
How to Find a Clinical Trial
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 NCI as well as those sponsored by pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance also has a Clinical Trials Finder guide on their site.
What to Consider Before Joining a Clinical Trial
People participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons. Those with cancer may do it to receive novel treatments not yet available to the general public as well as to help move science forward and help other people. There are potential risks, though. For instance, as the ACS points out, researchers may not always know the side effects of an experimental treatment.
News and Research on Ovarian Cancer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved olaparib (Lynparza) in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin) for first-line maintenance therapy in certain women with advanced ovarian cancer. Additionally, the FDA has also approved niraparib (Zejula) (Zejula) as a first-line maintenance therapy for some women with advanced ovarian cancer. Both belong to a category of drugs known as PARP inhibitors that assist in the treatment of ovarian cancer in women who carry a BRCA mutation. RELATED: PARP Inhibitor Improves Odds for Women With Ovarian Cancer and More Cancer News From ASCO’s Virtual Annual Meeting
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Is September
Each September is designated as Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, and is filled with events dedicated to spreading awareness regarding 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.
