Everyone’s journey with cancer will be a little different, which means the outlook will differ, too.
If you have been told you have end stage ovarian cancer, you’ll be wondering what that means, how long you have, and how you can prepare for what’s to come.
Although advanced ovarian cancer does have an unfavorable outlook, receiving a diagnosis with a form of ovarian cancer does not necessarily mean you’re going to die.
According to the
Experts use a 5-year relative survival rate to assess a person’s outlook. This is the percentage of people who are alive 5 years after receiving the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
On average, the 5-year relative survival rate for ovarian cancer is
If the cancer remains in the part of the body where it started, the 5-year survival rate significantly increases to almost 92%.
If it spreads to regional lymph nodes, the rate reduces to 71.5%. If the ovarian cancer has spread to distant parts of the body and is at an advanced stage, the survival rate drops to just over 31%.
A 2016 study involving 9,491 people with stage III or IV ovarian cancer noted that almost half (43.6%) died the first year after receiving the diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer.
This does differ depending on the type of ovarian cancer.
Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type, and most people eventually pass away from this form of cancer.
Children and young people recieving a diagnosis of germ cell ovarian tumors are typically curable. Similarly, treatment usually works well for sex cord-stromal tumors.
Note that all of these statistics include large groups of people. Individuals may have a different outlook. For example, while rare, some people’s advanced ovarian cancer was cured, or they were able to manage it for months and years.
Your doctor can give you a rough idea of how long you’ll be able to live. But this will only be an estimate.
The main factor affecting outlook is the stage of ovarian cancer. The more advanced the cancer is, the less favorable the outlook tends to be.
That’s usually because treatment may not be very effective, or a person may be too unwell to receive it.
Age can affect outcomes, too. According to the
People with a history of other health conditions may also have a lower chance of survival. One 2019 study found that people who had survived ovarian cancer were more vulnerable to dying from other cancers.
If you’re told that you have advanced ovarian cancer, you’re likely to experience a whole range of emotions.
It’s
No matter how you feel, you can always get help processing and coping with your emotions.
Your healthcare team can point you in the direction of a counselor if you would like to speak with a professional. Some people may need medication if they have anxiety or depression after receiving the diagnosis.
Don’t forget you can talk with family and friends if you feel able to.
Talking with people and being open about how you feel isn’t always easy. Finding a couple of people you trust and who will listen to you without judging can really help.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to others, writing down your thoughts and feelings is another option. You could try keeping a journal or diary. You can opt for a calming therapy, such as meditation or mindfulness, to process things and relieve stress.
Apart from communicating and processing, you can benefit from thinking about things you enjoy or what you’ve always wanted to do and try doing those things.
For example, you may have wanted to see a particular place or want the chance to re-watch all your favorite movies with people you love.
Don’t forget to ask your healthcare team any questions you have. Understanding the process and deciding how you’d like the next few weeks or months to go will help you prepare and ensure everyone is on board with you.
As cancer advances, you
It’s important to speak to your healthcare team and friends and family about creating a support unit. They can help you with basic tasks and provide equipment such as pressure-relieving cushions and walking frames if you need them.
Your doctor can prescribe medication to relieve pain or other symptoms like nausea.
If you need more specialist care, they can refer you to a palliative care team who will work to improve your quality of life and manage any physical symptoms.
Some people are eligible for hospice care. While an assisted living center or hospital can provide this type of care, you can also receive it in your home.
You may also have access to complementary therapies to help improve your well-being via hospice care. They range from acupuncture and massage to aromatherapy and reflexology.
If you have insurance, you may have coverage for hospice care. Some government programs (such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans’ Administration) can pay for it.
If you don’t qualify for any of those and can’t afford it privately, you can find a provider that offers care at a lower cost or no cost.
You can contact lots of local and national support groups and organizations. We also have a cancer care hub to help you navigate your diagnosis.
The American Cancer Society has specialists available to answer questions or arrange assistance day or night. You can call 800-227-2345 or find more information
CancerCare offers support groups in person, online, or over the phone, as well as plenty of resources and assistance.
You can also find a cancer support group in your area via the
Lauren Sharkey is a U.K.-based journalist and author specializing in women’s issues. When she isn’t trying to discover a way to banish migraine headaches, she can be found uncovering the answers to your lurking health questions. She has also written a book profiling young female activists across the globe and is currently building a community of such resisters. Catch her on Twitter.