Fertility Concerns a Significant Issue for Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

July 29, 2022 12:59 pm

by Jessica Nye, PhD

A systematic review found that fertility and parenthood were important and affected quality of life for young patients with gynecologic cancers; however, counseling and referral to fertility services is suboptimal. These findings were published in The Read more

Tool improves women’s ‘sense of control’ over ovarian cancer symptoms

June 18, 2022 12:08 pm

by Jennifer Byrne

Women with recurrent ovarian cancer experience an average of 14 disease or treatment-related symptoms at any given time over the course of their disease.

“It’s a huge symptom burden,” Heidi Donovan, PhD, RN, professor of health and … Read more

3 Points: Numbers Have a Different Meaning for Patients With Cancer

October 21, 2021 12:00 am

by Julie S. Brokaw

A woman with ovarian cancer describes how blood work numbers play a key role for patients with cancer and often dictate their thoughts and worries.

The number three is a special number. As a former math

Read more

Attachment Insecurity and Depression, Anxiety in Ovarian Cancer Patient Partner-Caregivers

September 24, 2021 12:00 am

By Jessica Nye, PhD

A cross-sectional study found that caregivers of patients with ovarian cancer were experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety which were affected by attachment avoidance. These findings were published in Current Oncology.

Caregivers are an important … Read more

‘We Have a Job to Do’: Cancer Patients and Their Doctors Carry on With Clinical Trials During Covid-19

June 17, 2020 5:00 pm

By Elizabeth Cooney

Cancer isn’t waiting for Covid-19 to go away. Neither is Karen Howley.

Diagnosed two years ago with advanced ovarian cancer, Howley started on a new experimental drug in mid-March, just as coronavirus case counts were soaring in … Read more

Psychedelic Mushrooms Can Help Ease Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients for Years, Scientists Believe

February 3, 2020 11:00 am

By Kashmira Gander

Taking a single dose of a psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms can ease symptoms of anxiety and depression in cancer patients for years, according to a study.

Almost five years after taking the compound psilocybin while … Read more

Overcoming Appointment Anxiety

December 27, 2019 5:00 pm

This article discusses the anxiety that often surrounds routine appointments, as well as daily life, after a cancer diagnosis. Steps Through OC offers free, professional ovarian cancer counseling for women, families and caregivers coping with ovarian cancer. Our goal is Read more

Steps Through OC: Early Findings From a National Pilot Delivering Virtual, Individualized Psychosocial Support to Ovarian Cancer Survivors and Caregivers

September 8, 2019 5:00 pm

By Thomas J. Pier, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, CMF, and Marina Baroff, MPH, MA, FACHE

What if every woman with ovarian cancer had help setting a clear direction through the uncertain landscape of the diagnosis? Imagine these women having access to … Read more

I’m Addicted to Anxiety: Facing Cancer Fears Head-on

August 14, 2019 6:00 pm

This article discusses the anxiety that often surrounds a cancer diagnosis and the importance of seeking professional help. Steps Through OC offers free, professional ovarian cancer counseling for women, families and caregivers coping with ovarian cancer. Our goal is to Read more

My Survival Garden: Overcoming Ovarian Cancer

August 5, 2019 6:00 pm

By Sherry B. Hanson

While recovering from ovarian cancer and chemotherapy, I got it into my head that I needed a garden space. My garden represents not only my physical labor, but also my focus, which is on the future.Read more

How to Talk to Your Kids About Your Cancer Diagnosis

June 1, 2019 5:00 am

By 

Helpful advice from experts and a mom who’s been there twice.

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, processing it is hard, and figuring out how to tell your kids about it just adds to the stress and … Read more

A Letter to My Newly Diagnosed Self

May 24, 2019 1:00 pm

By Kelly Irvin

A second ovarian cancer recurrence in three years prompted this review of lessons learned. If I could go back three and a half years and give advice to my newly diagnosed self, what would I say?

This … Read more

A Rising Trend in Cancer Care Targets Physical, Existential Threats Patients Confront

May 6, 2019 6:00 pm

By Sarah Elizabeth Richards

Photo: Diagnosed with terminal metastatic breast cancer, Tori Geib started seeing a palliative care coach in Columbus, Ohio. She says the treatment helped improve the quality of her life. (Matt Vojacek)

When Tori Geib learned she … Read more

Tackling Cancer Anxiety

November 18, 2018 6:29 pm

By Susan Gubar

No matter how long I deal with periodic blood tests, abdominal CTs and mammograms, they always trigger a huge wave of ‘scanxiety.’

Last year, right before the winter holidays, the nurse practitioner palpating my breast paused and … Read more

To Test or Not To Test: A Thorny Question in Ovarian Cancer Maintenance

September 19, 2018 9:28 pm

BY Kelly Irvin

I’ve officially entered the twilight zone. No, not the one Rod Serling spoke of on that classic TV show. This is that murky, dark period when the tumor markers associated with ovarian cancer start creeping up. While … Read more

Can Anxiety and Early Life Adversity Affect Ovarian Cancer Outcomes?

June 27, 2018 6:21 pm

In women with a recent ovarian cancer diagnosis, decreased anxiety was found to be associated with better regulated cortisol profiles, according to a new study. Those with early life adversity and other factors associated with anxiety had sustained anxiety and … Read more

Hidden Burdens: The Effects of an Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

February 23, 2018 6:51 pm

By: Kristie Kahl

After a cancer diagnosis and treatment, one may question when they will actually start to feel “normal” again, whatever that may be. The Ovarian Cancer Prognosis and Lifestyle (OPAL) study set out to help women with ovarian … Read more

“Surviving it once, yes. Twice? I don’t know about that”: My Ovarian Cancer Came Back

February 2, 2018 6:32 pm

For many people diagnosed with cancer, the symptoms are obvious. Bumps, lumps and blood where it shouldn’t be are all clear-cut warning signs that something could be wrong.

But for Narell Whitehead, a chance encounter with a TV ad was … Read more

Immortality at Midnight

December 22, 2017 7:57 pm

By: Susan Gubar

Toward the end of another unexpected year of existence, outliving a poor prognosis of late-stage cancer rouses me in the dark. Such an awakening is quite different from the fretful insomnia that accompanied the dire diagnosis. Especially … Read more