Community Views: Encouragement to Those Newly Diagnosed

Being newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer is no doubt an overwhelming and stressful time. Suddenly, your whole world is turned upside down as you take in the news and try to make sense of a scary situation.

To learn how others have coped with their ovarian cancer diagnosis and what practical steps helped them continue forward, we reached out to community members on the AdvancedOvarianCancer.net Facebook page where people answered: "What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer?"

People provided advice and words of encouragement. Here is what was said...

Stay hopeful

Having a positive attitude when dealing with a challenging cancer is easier said than done. But for many community members who have dealt with a difficult diagnosis, staying hopeful helped them get through the day and continue to live their life despite having cancer.

“Don’t give up! Find an oncologist you like and trust.”“Don't give up and pray. There's always hope– mine is not curable, but it was treatable. Stay positive – attitude is 99 percent of this journey.”“Stay strong and be positive.”

Lean on family and friends for support

When living with a cancer diagnosis, a solid support network is key. Whether it is sharing your feelings with a close friend or asking a parent or sibling to accompany you to a doctor’s appointment, leaning on your loved ones can make a cancer diagnosis more manageable.

Accept help when it is offered, and ask for help when you need it. Many community members shared that this aspect was one of the most important things that helped them feel less alone and helped them get through their cancer journey.

“Do not be afraid to share exactly what is going on with family and friends.” “Your friends and family will be honored to lift you up in prayer and healing thoughts and are happy to help you out with meals, rides, cleaning, and just hand-holding more than you know. It is a blessing to find out how much people really care.”“If possible, have someone with you who would advocate your wishes if you cannot and who can and WILL ask questions.”

Be prepared for the side effects of treatment

Before starting treatment, talk with your oncologist about potential side effects and any concerns you may have. Several community members shared insight about things that helped them manage side effects they faced.

“Use cold laser therapy to minimize the peripheral neuropathy side effect of chemo treatments. My mom had cold laser treatments following chemo and had almost no neuropathy.”“Take vitamin B6 (I think I took 200 mg daily), and I didn't get any neuropathy from the chemo.”“Just keep moving. Sometimes I think I don't feel like moving, but I make myself.”

Be mindful of what you read online

The internet can be an amazing resource. It can help you find the right doctor, the best medical center for treatment, and information on the latest clinical trial.

But it contains a lot of inaccurate information, too. Be mindful of what you read online. Rely on your oncologist and care team for accurate information.

“Don't Google. I had my only panic attack after doing that. Information is outdated and changing all the time.”“Take one day at a time, and stay away from Google.”

Be your own advocate

It is important to advocate for yourself during your cancer diagnosis and treatment. Do not shy away from asking questions and getting second opinions. This is your health and your future. You deserve to get the best care possible.

“Go to a National Cancer Institute (NCI) hospital for best outcomes!”“Make sure you have a gynecologist oncologist on board.”“Keep all your records, and get second and third opinions.”

Thank you to everyone who shared their advice and personal experiences for this story. It means a lot to witness members of our community supporting and sharing space with one another.