Resources and organisations for ovarian cancer
There are organisations, support groups, books, videos and other resources to help you cope with ovarian cancer and its treatment.
Cancer Research UK information and support
Cancer Research UK is the largest cancer research organisation in the world outside the USA. We fund research on all aspects of cancer from its causes to prevention and treatment.
We are committed to producing high quality information for people affected by cancer. As well as looking at the information on this website you can call our nurse freephone helpline on 0808 800 4040. They are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or you can send them a question online.
Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.
Ovarian cancer support and information organisations
Ovacome is the national UK ovarian cancer charity focused on providing support to anyone affected by ovarian cancer.
Helpline: 0800 008 7054 (open Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm)
E-mail: support@ovacome.org.uk
This organisation provides information about many women's health issues. For a minimum donation of £10 to cover costs, they can give personalised email advice about your reproductive, gynaecological or sexual health. Produces booklets on a range of subjects including hormone replacement therapy, menopause, hysterectomy and ovarian cysts.
The Barn
Dukes Place
Marlow
Buckinghamshire
SL7 2QH
Office telephone: 01628 890199
Contact Form
The American National Cancer Institute's information on ovarian cancer. It is detailed and comprehensive, written for an American audience.
This charity aims to help with the physical and emotional wellbeing of people going through cancer treatment. They provide confidence boosting workshops, which gives a chance for people to meet others going through a similar experience and to learn skills to manage some of the side effects of treatment, such as skincare and make up techniques.
Workshops take place in hospitals and support centres across the UK. You can find your nearest workshop and read more about the work of the charity on their website.
West Hill House
32 West Hill
Epsom
Surrey
KT19 8JD
Phone: 01372 747500
Email: info@lgfb.co.uk
Ovarian Cancer Action funds research into ovarian cancer. They aim to raise awareness and campaign for change in diagnosis and treatment.
Target Ovarian Cancer work to improve early diagnosis, fund research and provide support to women with ovarian cancer.
Tel (Nurse advisers): 020 7923 5475
Email:support@targetovariancancer.org.uk
This charity aims to provide information and support to people with Lynch syndrome and their families, and to raise awareness of this syndrome. They also provide support through their Facebook page Lynch Syndrome UK Online.
The Eve Appeal is a UK national charity raising awareness, and funding research into the five gynaecological cancers - womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. They also provide a gynae cancer information and support service called Ask Eve.
Ask Eve telephone: 0808 802 0019
Ask Eve email: nurse@eveappeal.org.uk
General enquiries: telephone: 020 7605 0100 and email: office@eveappeal.org.uk
Go Girls
Go Girls offer support to women with gynaecological cancers. They are also raising awareness and campaigning for better diagnosis and treatments.
44 The Ridgeway, Upwey, Dorset DT3 5QQ
Tel: 01305 255719
Email: hello@gogirlssupport.org
BRCA Chat is a small but national charity supporting those with a BRCA gene mutation. They provide peer support groups, online talks, blogs and newsletters, and can signpost you to other resources if needed.
Email: info@brcachat.com
General support organisations
Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical, medical and financial support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline gives guidance on cancer and advice on benefits. It also publishes booklets about cancer and treatments. Information is available in other languages.
Freephone: 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm)
Contact email form
Books about ovarian cancer and coping with menopause
M Heffernan and M Quinn
Michelle Anderson Publishing, 2003
ISBN: 0855723327
An American book that deals with all aspects of gynaecological cancer. Gives concise information alongside women's own stories about their experiences.
Suzie Hayman
Sheldon Press, 2002
ISBN 085969870X
A straightforward book dealing with the physical and emotional results of hysterectomy. It covers the operation and how to recover from it. Written without medical jargon.
Wendy Green
Summersdale, 2009
ISBN 1840247207
This book explains common physical and psychological symptoms of menopause and offers a holistic approach to help you deal with them. This includes simple lifestyle and dietary changes and DIY natural therapies.
Kathy Abernethy
Bailliere Tindall, 2002
ISBN 0702026352
This practical guide covers issues relating to menopause, including short and intermediate term symptoms, long term consequences such as osteoporosis, and premature ovarian failure. It also discusses hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and non-hormonal management approaches.
Kathryn Petras
William Morrow Paperbacks, 2018
ISBN 9780380805419
The Premature Menopause Book provides the latest information on health and emotional issues, explores all of your options, lists resources, websites and support groups, shares the experiences and advice of women going through this experience, answers frequently asked questions and offers the support and understanding your needs.
Booklets and factsheets from other organisations
Coping with advanced cancer
Managing cancer pain (also on CD)
Coping with hair loss (also on CD)
Healthy eating and cancer
Talking to someone who has cancer (also on CD)
Cancer and your sex life - information for women
Talking about your cancer
Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer (also on CD)
Understanding cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube and peritoneum
Understanding cancer research trials (clinical trials)
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
From Ovacome
Borderline ovarian tumours
Ovarian cancer and sexuality
Blocked bowel
Clear cell carcinoma of the ovary
Rare ovarian tumours
What Happens Next? A guide for women with a recent diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Back here again: A guide for women if their ovarian cancer has returned
My care, my future: A guide for women who are living with incurable ovarian cancer
Healthtalk.org
Provides free, reliable information about health issues including mental health, by sharing people's real-life experiences.
Find local cancer information and support near you
There are organisations and support in your local area that you can access. You can ask your specialist nurse or doctor for more information about cancer services near you.
England
The NHS website has a service that tells you about local information and support in England.
Scotland
NHS Inform gives information about illness, treatments and NHS services for people in Scotland.
Wales
NHS 111 Wales gives health advice and information for people living in Wales.
Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) website tells you where to find cancer information and support in Northern Ireland.
