What Are the Different Types of Ovarian Cancer Support?

Various types of ovarian cancer support can help prevent patients from feeling scared or alone and can also educate them about the condition. One popular form of support for those patients with women's cancers includes group therapy, during which patients can meet others with the same medical condition. For patients who prefer to use the Internet for support, there are forums and chat rooms available so they can discuss both their feelings and the basic facts of the disease. Traditional forms of ovarian cancer support include doctors, friends and family, as well as print publications that can offer a wealth of knowledge and comfort.

One of the most common types of ovarian cancer support is group therapy, which allows patients to discuss their emotions with other women who are going through the same ordeal. Many cities have at least one therapy group devoted to discussing women's cancers. Members are often encouraged to attend every meeting, but they can usually just drop in when they need to talk, too. Support groups are often free or inexpensive and may be led by a nurse, psychiatrist or ovarian cancer survivor.

Some patients have a busy schedule or are uncomfortable talking about the disease to others in person, so they may seek ovarian cancer support online. There are chat rooms available for this specific disease, and they work similarly to group therapy sessions in that members can chat freely about their experiences with this condition. Online message boards can also be helpful, because they allow patients to write how they feel, post it online and eventually get responses from others feeling the same way — though it may take days to receive a response. Those who are more comfortable with the phone than the Internet may use a telephone hotline manned by people who are trained to offer resources or support for patients who call. Forms of ovarian cancer support that involve technology are usually free and allow patients to vent their feelings despite being too shy or too busy for group therapy sessions.

Traditional forms of ovarian cancer support often appeal to patients. For example, many women rely on their doctor or nurse to provide comfort and facts about ovarian cancer. Print publications, such as books or pamphlets handed out at the doctor's office, also boast details about ovarian cancer, as well as resources available for those needing more information. Additionally, friends and family are often sources of support for women battling ovarian cancer; they listen and are able to calm some of the common fears associated with this disease.