When you or someone you love is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you want to learn everything you can about it. You may also want to find ways to connect with other people who have ovarian cancer. Here are resources to help you get started, including nonprofit organizations, blogs, and online communities.
If you’re looking for support groups, your doctor may be able to put you in touch with one. When choosing a group, consider what the group focuses on, how it meets (online or in person), and who leads the group. See what works best for you.
When you use blogs or online communities, keep in mind that this information isn’t medical advice. Also ask yourself these questions:
- Who runs or created the site? Are they selling anything?
- Does it make claims that sound too good to be true?
- Is the information up to date, reviewed, and based on scientific research?
Nonprofit Organizations
These nonprofit organizations provide online information about ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance: This group provides information on ovarian cancer advocacy, education, awareness, diagnosis, and treatment.
Foundation for Women's Cancer: This link goes to the Foundation’s section on ovarian cancer.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network: This group is a nonprofit alliance of 28 of the leading cancer centers in the U.S. that treat all types of cancers, including ovarian cancer. You can search the site for “ovarian cancer” to find guidelines and webinars about the disease.
National Cancer Institute: This link goes to the Institute’s section on ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials
The following websites offer information and services to help you find ovarian cancer clinical trials that test new treatments. Your doctor can help you search for trials that fit your needs and help you find out what’s involved.
TrialCheck: This website imports information for all cancer clinical studies federally registered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You can use it to filter for ovarian cancer trials that are open or enrolling patients.
ClinicalTrials.gov: This website offers up-to-date information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials. To find trials for ovarian cancer, enter that into the box that says “Condition or disease.”
National Cancer Institute: This website lists clinical trials backed by the National Cancer Institute.
CenterWatch: This website lists industry-sponsored clinical trials that are actively recruiting patients.
Blogs
These online journals are written by people with ovarian cancer. The bloggers chronicle their treatment as well as other parts of their personal lives. Remember that these blogs are based on individual opinions and aren’t a source of medical advice.
Online Communities
You can follow most trustworthy nonprofit organizations on the major social media platforms. They post links to news and easy-to-digest information about diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer. Links on each organization’s website will list all the official accounts.
Facebook: There are many popular online support groups on this social media site. Most are private and have specific rules about who can join based on your diagnosis and gender. They can be a valuable place to get support, find tips, and even meet new friends.
Reddit: Patients and caregivers use this forum to discuss treatment and share resources. You can just read the conversation or join to ask or answer questions yourself.
Hashtags: Search the hashtags #ovariancancer and #ovariancancerawareness to find posts from individuals and organizations.
Be cautious on social media, like any time you research your health online. Both reliable and misleading information can be shared widely.
Remember:
- Look for the original source of any information.
- Visit the account’s website for more context and details.
- Check for a symbol that says the account is verified.