Navigating ovarian cancer: a helpful guide for the newly diagnosed
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If you or someone you’re close to has recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may feel overwhelmed and anxious, which is perfectly normal. You probably have what feels like a million questions. What should my next step be? Do I have the right physicians on my care team? What will treatment be like? How can I manage my care and responsibilities like work and family?
But what matters is not having an answer for every question right now, but having a plan, trusted, evidence-based information to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options, and the right people beside you. This article brings together key information to help you understand your diagnosis, build your plan, and assemble a team to support you from diagnosis through survivorship.
What is ovarian cancer?
According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, approximately 21,010 women in the U.S. will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer this year. Ovarian cancer includes cancers that begin in the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). Unlike many other cancers, there is currently no standard recommended screening test for ovarian cancer and it often causes no symptoms in the early stages.
If you have recently been diagnosed, the first step is to learn as much as you can about the specifics of your diagnosis and potential treatments. This information will help guide your treatment plan and decisions.
Ask your physician these questions to start gathering the information you need to make decisions:
- What type of cancer do I have? There are three main types of ovarian cancer categorized by the cells or tissue where the cancer originates: epithelial ovarian cancer, the most common type, and two rare types—germ cell tumors and stromal tumors.
- What stage is my cancer? Staging indicates whether the cancer has spread beyond the site where it originated and how far it has spread.
- What grade is my cancer? Grading assesses how abnormal the cancer cells appear under the microscope, which helps determine how aggressive the cancer is and how quickly it may grow.
- What treatment options are appropriate for my cancer? Learn what options your physician recommends, what the goals of each treatment are, and what potential side effects you may experience.
- Are there clinical trials I should consider? Your physician can let you know if a clinical trial would be appropriate for you and how to find and enroll in a trial.
- Are there biomarkers that may influence treatment? Biomarkers describe the tumor’s molecular makeup, which allows your physician to tailor and personalize treatment, especially chemotherapy and immunotherapy, for your specific cancer.
- Is genetic testing recommended for me or my family? Genetic testing can help further tailor your treatment, identifying gene mutations in the tumor. If there is an inherited mutation, like mutations in the BRCA1 or 2 genes or Lynch syndrome (an inherited mutation that can increase the risk of developing a range of types of cancer), members of your family may be at an increased risk of cancer and may want to undergo genetic testing to learn if they carry the mutation.
Building your care team
Which specialists make up your care team will depend on your treatment options. The team may include a:
- Gynecological oncologist, who is often the leader of the team. These specialists are trained in both surgery and oncology and diagnose and treat cancers that affect the female reproductive system. Gynecological oncologists complete a standard OB/GYN residency followed by a 3- to 4-year subspecialty fellowship to manage both the surgical and medical needs of cancer patients. Their advanced training and the fact that they treat a larger volume of patients with ovarian cancer improves the outcomes of their patients compared to those who receive care from a non-specialist.
- Medical oncologist. Medical oncologists design and deliver chemotherapy regimens and other medical treatments, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy.
- Radiation oncologist. These specialists use radiation therapies to treat cancer.
Your broader team can also include oncology nurses, genetic counselors, social workers, nutritionists, mental health professionals, and financial counselors. Each plays a distinct role, but the real power comes from coordinated care—when everyone is communicating, planning, and supporting you as a unified team. This is where your health advisor can be especially valuable.
The role of your health advisor: coordination, information, and support
Your health advisor is a trained guide who helps you navigate the often-complex health care system and overcome barriers to care. Your advisor can be especially helpful when you’re making important decisions about your care, such as how to find the most qualified specialists and which treatment path to choose.
Your advisor can turn a confusing process into a more organized path forward by helping with:
- Scheduling appointments and organizing medical records
- Preparing questions for your physicians
- Getting a second opinion from an experienced specialist
- Understanding insurance and coverage
- Finding transportation, lodging, or financial assistance
- Connecting you with mental health and peer support resources
Advisors do not make medical decisions – that remains between you and your care team. But they can help you understand the information you receive, clarify next steps, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Many health insurance plans, employer benefits programs, and cancer centers offer navigation or clinical advocacy services. It’s helpful to connect with an advisor or navigator early, especially before major decision points in your care.
You deserve support for the whole journey
Ovarian cancer care is not only about treatment – it’s about information, care coordination, emotional support, and solving the daily life challenges that come with a serious diagnosis. Having a strong team by your side, including your health advisor, can make a tremendous difference, not only in your health outcomes, but also in your overall wellbeing and mental health during a difficult time.
The path ahead may feel uncertain, but with a skilled care team and a trusted advisor by your side, you can move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and support.
Connect with PinnacleCare
For more information about how PinnacleCare’s Health Advisors could assist you with an ovarian cancer diagnosis and support, connect with us today.
Top 5 FAQs About a New Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
PinnacleCare is a member of the Sun Life Financial Inc. (“Sun Life”) family of companies. PinnacleCare and its employees do not diagnose medical conditions, recommend treatment options or provide medical care, and any information or services provided should not be considered medical advice. Any medical decisions should be made only after consultation with and at the direction of your medical provider. Any person or entity who provides health care services following a referral or other service provided does so independently and not as an agent or representative of PinnacleCare.
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