home
a-z of conditions
forums
news
about us
See all conditions
Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Forum
Resources & Information
Subject index
Credits
Full list of topics
Symptoms, investigations and diagnosis :
Symptoms
Tests and investigations
Learning the diagnosis
Ideas about causes
Family history and genetics
Treatment for ovarian cancer :
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Unwanted effects of chemotherapy
Treatment complications
Treatment decisions
Clinical trials
Treatment outcomes and follow-up
Controlling the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer
Communication with health professionals
Complementary approaches
Impact on self :
Psychological impact
Menopause
Fertility
Body image
Sexual relationships
Lifestyle and work changes
Coping strategies
Financial implications
Facing the future
Other people, support & information :
Telling the news
Impact on others
Support from family and friends and spirituality
Other sources of support
Knowledge & Information
Messages to others
Search the whole site
Search in this condition
Ovarian Cancer
Subject index
Clip
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
Less than 2 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV42
>>
Was relieved when the news that she had cancer had reached everyone.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2003 following abdominal pain (diagnosed as gall stones) and bloating. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
5-6 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV18
>>
Was concerned that if she lost her hair from chemotherapy everyone would know she had cancer.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following investigations for infertility. Treated by surgical removal of affected ovary followed by chemotherapy. Diagnosis revised as 'borderline' and further treatment aborted in preference for regular monitoring.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
2-5 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV10
>>
Waited until her husband had driven her home from hospital before telling him she had cancer.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2000 following an abdominal ache. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
2-5 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV16
>>
Was concerned about telling her husband and elderly parents that she had cancer.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following constipation, pain and bloating. Treated by surgical removal of both ovaries (previously hysterectomised) followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
5-6 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV18
>>
Wanted to limit the number of people who knew she had cancer but more people found out later.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following investigations for infertility. Treated by surgical removal of affected ovary followed by chemotherapy. Diagnosis revised as 'borderline' and further treatment aborted in preference for regular monitoring.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
Less than 2 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV14
>>
Told close colleagues all about her cancer while telling clients the minimum they needed to know.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following abdominal ache. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
5-6 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV31
>>
Described the consequences of her decision not to tell her family she had cancer until after her operation.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 in the course of infertility treatment. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
2-5 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV45
>>
Kept the diagnosis a secret outside her immediate family in order to protect her business, until the cancer recurred.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2001 following indigestion, abdominal pain and bloating. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb, and chemotherapy. Recurrences treated with chemotherapy. Surgery to lungs and heart to prevent fluid build-up.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
2-5 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV38
>>
Tried to be as upbeat as possible about her diagnosis to make it easier for other people to deal with.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2000 following abdominal aches and pains. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
7-14 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV32
>>
Initially found it difficult to say the word 'cancer' but believed that doing so helped people to talk more openly.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1994 following tiredness, pain, nausea and vomiting. Treated with bowel surgery then chemotherapy. Recurrence treated by chemotherapy prior to surgical removal of ovaries and womb. Second recurrence treated by more chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
2-5 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV20
>>
Describes how she and her husband explained to their three-year-old daughter about her illness.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2000 following abdominal pain and bloating, painful sex and bleeding afterwards. Treated by surgical removal of tumour, chemotherapy, then removal of ovaries and womb and more chemotherapy. Further surgery to repair a hernia.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
7-14 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV26
>>
Describes her concerns about telling her grown-up sons that her cancer had returned and she may not live much longer.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1993 after requesting a health check (no symptoms experienced). Treated by surgical removal of ovary and womb then chemotherapy. Recurrence after 10 years treated with chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
7-14 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV03
>>
Said that people don't know how to face you or what to say because they assume cancer means death.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1996 following abdominal swelling and pain, and depression. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
2-5 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV30
>>
Friends in the African Caribbean community advised her to pray rather than go to the hospital for treatment.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following abdominal bloating and bleeding. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb, and colostomy, followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
5-6 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV15
>>
Describes how counselling helped her.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following frequent urination and feeling that all was not well. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb. Recurrence treated with chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
5-6 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV15
>>
Her husband found it difficult to show his feelings or talk about his fears.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following frequent urination and feeling that all was not well. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb. Recurrence treated with chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
Less than 2 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV42
>>
Her three children reacted to the diagnosis in very different ways.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2003 following abdominal pain (diagnosed as gall stones) and bloating. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
2-5 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV40
>>
Her husband, parents and brothers cried with her on learning the diagnosis.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2001 following urinary incontinence and abdominal bloating. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
5-6 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV09
>>
Received visits, cards and flowers from friends and had plenty of people she could phone if she wanted to talk.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 after finding a lump in her abdomen. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
7-14 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV03
>>
During her chemotherapy she had great support from friends, but it dried up when she finished her treatment.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1996 following abdominal swelling and pain, and depression. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
7-14 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV24
>>
Would have liked more emotional support from family, friends and colleagues during her treatment.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1989 after finding a large abdominal lump. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
7-14 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV03
>>
Gained support from hearing about, and making friends with, other ovarian cancer survivors.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1996 following abdominal swelling and pain, and depression. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.
Cancer
>>
Ovarian Cancer
>>
5-6 years since diagnosis
>>
Interview OV17
>>
Sought information and visited internet chat rooms where she could contact other women with ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1998 following breathing and bladder problems, weight gain and bloating, and changed bowel habits. Treated by surgical removal of both ovaries and abdominal fluid, chemotherapy, then hysterectomy and further chemotherapy.
Mail to a friend