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Ask your doctor exactly what pop in, stage, and grade of ovarian cancer you have.
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Then ask what it all means for your prognosis.
As you may have heard, there arethree main types of ovarian cancer.
They differ based on the cells involved.
If the cancer starts in the layer of tissue that covers the ovary, its epithelial ovarian cancer.
If it begins in the cells that produce eggs, its germ cell ovarian cancer.
And if originates from the cells that make hormones, its stromal ovarian cancer.
(Additionally, experts are investigating how many ovarian cancersactually begin in the fallopian tubes.)
There are alsofour main stages, I to IV, depending on how advanced the cancer is.
A lot depends on the specifics of your situation.
These centers typically have multidisciplinary teams that look after every aspect of the patients care throughout treatment.
High-quality cancer care centers are all over the country, Dr. Westin says.
But its worth it because its your life.
Finding aNational Cancer Institute-designated cancer centeris a good place to start, Dr. Matulonis says.
There are 63 of these centers around the country that provide care to cancer patients.
Find the closest one to youhere.
This can vary based on factors like your location and insurance, but its worth noting.
3. have a go at get your treatment plan in place as soon as possible.
“Decisions really have to be made pretty quickly, Dr. Matulonis says.
Treatment for ovarian cancercan involve surgery, chemotherapy, and other strategies.
But consider getting a second opinion if you feel its necessary.
If you are happy with your doctor and institution, its not necessary to consult somebody else.
Ask your doctor whether or not they think a second opinion would be helpful, Dr. Westin says.
Andrea H. decided to get a second opinion after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1996.
Ask if you should consider BRCA gene testing.
Recommendations abouttesting for BRCAand other gene mutations vary among doctors.
It may influence your treatment plan, like having a preventivemastectomyto lower your risk of developing breast cancer.
It can also indicate whether or not your family members may want to get testing, too.
Andrea found out she had a BRCA2 gene mutation in 2000, she says.
Her daughter decided she wanted to get tested when she turned 25.
Unlike her mother, she didnt have a BRCA gene mutation.
Even though they had opposite results, theyre both glad they decided to get the test.
Ask if youre eligible for any ovarian cancer treatment clinical trials.
Many of these trials actually include the current standard of care, she explains.
(For instance, Andrea actually received her BRCA testing through a clinical trial.)
Dr. Westin recommends inquiring with your doctor early on about whether you could be a good candidate for one.
Visit the ACS for more information onclinical trialsandhow to find them.
Seek mental health care if youre struggling.
Its hard to overstate how normal it is to feel upset after finding out you have ovarian cancer.
Theres no right reaction.
Its a devastating diagnosis, Andrea says.
Youve got to feel those feelings, whatever they are.
Dont tamp down your emotions.
If you want help processing your emotionsor simply want to be proactive about yourmental healthtalk to somebody.
If there’s any time to get professional counseling, its when you’re facing mortality, Andrea says.
These are mental health professionals that specialize in these issues that come up during cancer, Dr. Westin says.
Ask your support data pipe for what you need, and remember that youre not a burden.
Thats why Dr. Matulonis recommends figuring out what kind of help youre going to want from your loved ones.
People have to get friends and family in place as quickly as possible, she says.
Or maybe youd like people to help you pass the time while youre in thechemosuite.
Whatever it is you want, try not to be shy about asking for what you need.
The people who love you want to help.
If you have practical concerns, now is not the time to stand on ceremony, Andrea says.
You’d be surprised the number of people willing to step up to the plate.
Take advantage of the support resources offered by your hospital, your local community, and national organizations.
you’re able to also locate resources online through the ACS.
They have their own initiatives, likevolunteer-provided transportationand alodging assistance programmingfor people traveling a long way to treatment.
you could reach them at 1-800-227-2345.
Join a support group if you feel that would be helpful.
Not everyone will want to seek outside support, especially right after being diagnosed.
Sometimes theyre not ready.
There’s nothing like talking to somebody whos been there, Andrea says.
My patients talk to each other and derive tremendous benefit from that, Dr. Stone says.
They end up becoming friends.
Here are a few of support networks out there:
11.
Keep those survival rates in perspective.
It can be very overwhelming to look online and see some really hard numbers, Dr. Westin says.
But its important to take that fact with a tremendous grain of salt.
The hope is that this trend continues.
The other thing to remember is that these numbers are overall population trends.
These numbers cannot say whats going to happen to any one individual.
As Andrea puts it, You have to remember that you are a statistic of one.
