RESOURCES

Survivorship and Family/Caregiver Support

Side Effects of Treatment

While cancer treatments are aimed at slowing the growth of the cancer cells, side effects can happen when the treatment affects healthy, non-cancerous cells in the body.  Potential side effects of ovarian cancer treatment may include hair loss, pain after surgery, swelling, changes in digestion, nausea, numbness/tingling, changes in sexuality, vaginal dryness, depression, and anxiety. Some side effects may be present for a short time, while others might be more long-term. Chemotherapy can cause long-term damage to the heart, nerves, bone marrow, and reproductive organs.

There are options available to help manage these side effects. Let your care team know about any side effects you are having. Don’t be afraid to be proactive about asking your doctor about side effects of the treatment you are receiving and for recommendations on how to handle them. Find more details about managing side effects of treatment at the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance and the National Cancer Institute. The American Cancer Society’s After Ovarian Cancer Treatment covers the common questions that come up in terms of next steps, and concerns that may arise after treatment. And ApricityCare is a symptom management system that offers 24/7 monitoring and care to you, at home.

Individual Support & Support Groups

Above all, it’s important to know that you are not alone in your cancer and treatment journey. There are many ways you can connect with others for support—here are a few places to start. 

One-On-One Support: 

• The Woman to Woman program through the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance pairs gynecologic cancer patients with trained volunteer mentors who provide emotional support and mentoring. 
• The Cleveland Clinic 4^th Angel Mentoring Program matches cancer patients with trained volunteer mentors with similar age and cancer experiences.

 Group Support: 

• The Cancer Support Community is an international non-profit dedicated to providing support, education, and hope to people affected by cancer.

• Inspire is a support group that is part of the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, and offers a space to discuss immunotherapy, genetic testing, clinical trials, recurrence, and more.

• Young Ovarian Cancer Survivors is a Facebook discussion group for women with ovarian cancer. If interested, ask to join the group and your posts will only be seen by group members.

• One to One Ovarian Cancer Support Group is hosting a retreat September 26 - September 28, 2025 in Washington, Michigan. Survivors and their guests will enjoy a weekend of relaxation and connection.

Families & Caregivers

Becoming a caregiver for a loved one with cancer can be a life-altering, unexpected, and demanding experience. There are resources available to help you learn about caregiving, coordinate help from family members and friends, and take care of your own health and well-being along the way.

• MIOCA hosts a Friends & Family Support Network for caregivers and loved ones of those facing ovarian cancer. Ask questions, find support and build connections with others who know firsthand what you are going through.

• CaringBridge helps you create a free personal website to quickly share updates about your own or someone else’s health journey.

• Lotsa Helping Hands is an online tool that creates a central place to coordinate meals and help for friends and family.

• The When a Loved One Has Ovarian Cancer booklet from the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition offers insight and tips on communicating about cancer, providing care, and taking care of yourself throughout the caregiving process.

• The American Cancer Society offers an Interactive Caregiver Resource Guide and a Caregiver Support Video Series.

• UCSF’s Orientation to Caregiving handbook covers topics like what to expect as a family caregiver, managing care at home, and more.

• The National Cancer Institute’s Caring for the Caregiver booklet provides ways for a friend or family member to take care of themselves while caring for someone with cancer. It gives communication and self-care tips to focus on one's needs while helping their loved one too.

• Camp Kesem at the University of Michigan is part of a national organization that supports kids through and beyond their parent's diagnosis and gives kids the ability to work through the tough challenges they are facing.

• Jewish Family Services, located in Metro Detroit area, provides training, support and resources for caregivers.

Grief Support:

• Cancer Community of Greater Ann Arbor offers Living with Loss, a monthly drop-in for all those who have lost a loved one to cancer.

• The Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint hosts a grief support group for families touched by cancer. Those battling the disease, survivors, previvors, caregivers, family and friends are welcome to attend the free one-hour sessions.

• Gilda's Club Metro Detroit provides family and spouse bereavement support for loved ones that are no longer with us and were impacted by cancer. 

Complementary & Integrative Therapy

Techniques including yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and massage may help manage some of the physical symptoms of cancer, side effects of treatment, as well as anxiety and stress. It’s important to know that these tools are not cures for cancer, but can be added to your treatment plan to help with stress and pain. If you are interested in complementary approaches for cancer, be sure to discuss with your care team first. Check out 6 Things You Need To Know About Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches from the National Institute of Health and an overview of Complementary Therapy from the Cleveland Clinic for more details. See below for additional resources.

• If you are looking for apps for mindfulness, meditation, and sleep, take a look at this list from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

• LovingMeditations is a mindfulness app designed specifically for people with cancer.

• Learn more about how yoga might be helpful from the American Cancer Society. While yoga classes are generally found at health clubs and studios, more options for streaming online classes are becoming available.

• The Rogel Cancer Center at the University of Michigan offers complementary therapies including art therapy, guided imagery, music therapy, and more. They also offer information on acupuncture and tips for choosing a practitioner of acupuncture.

• The Cowell Cancer Center in Traverse City offers acupuncture, massage, and shiatsu therapy.

• First Descents offers free outdoor adventure experiences such as rock climbing and kayaking for young adults affected by cancer.

Financial Assistance for Ovarian Cancer Care

Cancer treatment can be expensive. There are several resources that may be able to help with some of the costs associated with ovarian cancer treatment. Through The Angel Fund, MIOCA is able to provide residents of Michigan in treatment for ovarian cancer, or who have been in treatment within the last six months, with a $100 pre-paid gift card.

Below is a list of additional resources.

General Medical Financial Support

• The Patient Advocate Foundation provides direct services to patients with life threatening diseases to help access care and treatment recommended by their doctor. They offer case management services, scholarships for students with cancer, and help cover the cost of co-pays for certain patients. Many financial assistance programs operate only within certain states or areas, and the Patient Advocate Foundation makes it easier to find local programs through their searchable resource directory.

• The Clearity Foundation provides ovarian cancer patient support services, including helping pay for diagnostic tests, helping women identify clinical trials, treatment decision support, and also has a psychosocial support program just for women with ovarian cancer. Access their financial assistance form here.

 Medication and Drug Supplement Programs 

• The Medication Assistance Tool, created by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), is a search engine that helps match patients with programs that can help lower your out-of-pocket costs for medications.

• The AstraZeneca Prescription Savings Program helps patients access their AstraZeneca medications if they are having trouble affording them. LYNPARZA (Olaparib) is an example of an ovarian cancer drug that may be available at reduced cost through this program.

• The Genetech Oncology Co-pay Assistance Program helps with the cost of Genetech Oncology products. An example of an ovarian cancer drug that may be available at reduced cost through this program is Avastin (bevacizumab).

 Additional Financial Assistance

• Sharsheret Best Face Forward 2.0 provides financial assistance for non-medical costs such as wigs and scalp cooling. Local support groups are also available through Sharsheret.

• OvarCare is a one-time assistance program that provides financial grants, counseling, gas cards, and grocery cards for eligible ovarian cancer patients.

• The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program offers families places to stay when their cancer treatment is far from home. However, this program is currently suspended during COVID-19.

• The Healthcare Hospitality Network also provides lodging options when traveling for medical treatment is necessary.

• Find additional resources on the Managing the Costs of Cancer Treatment page on the American Cancer Society website.

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Additional Information

• AdvancedOvarianCancer.net provides an informational platform for individuals and caregivers impacted by advanced ovarian cancer. 

• Cancer and Careers empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their work environment by providing expert advice, interactive tools, and educational events.

• Family Building for Ovarian Cancer Survivors: This webinar session discusses legal resources for surrogacy and adoption, fertility preservation options, financial resources for family building, and a personal story from an ovarian cancer survivor.