Booklet: What You Need to Know about Ovarian Cancer

Treatment

Treatment for ovarian cancer depends on a number of individual factors, including the stage of the disease and the woman's age and general health. Treatment for ovarian cancer is best planned by doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Most people with cancer want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices so they can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. The doctor is the best person to answer their questions. When talking about treatment choices, the patient may want to ask the doctor about taking part in a research study. Such studies, called clinical trials, are designed to improve cancer treatment.

When a person is diagnosed with cancer, shock and stress are natural reactions. These feelings may make it difficult to think of every question to ask the doctor. Also, patients may find it hard to remember everything the doctor says. But they do not need to ask all their questions or remember all the answers at one time. They will have other chances for the doctor to explain things that are not clear and to ask for more information.

Often it helps to make a list of questions to ask the doctor. Also, to help remember what the doctor says, patients may take notes or ask the doctor whether they may use a tape recorder. Some patients also want to have a family member or friend with them--to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.

Here are some questions a woman may want to ask her doctor before treatment begins:

• What is the stage of the disease?
• What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
• Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me?
• What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?

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