Gynecologic Cancer |
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Living with Cancer
A cancer diagnosis requires you and the people close to you to cope with many new feelings. You may feel overwhelmed with emotions that can range from fear to confusion to grief. You may be concerned about your body image and your sexuality. Talking about these issues is especially helpful for many women. Your doctor can recommend support groups or counselors to help guide you through this challenging time of life.
Ovarian Cancer Myths
Using birth control pills increases your risk of ovarian cancer.
In fact, the effect is just the opposite. Use of oral contraceptives reduces your risk of getting ovarian cancer. Other factors that reduce your risk include having been pregnant, breast feeding, and, for reasons that are not well understood, having a tubal ligation.
Patients who have had both ovaries removed as part of their treatment cannot use hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
This is not true. Women who have had this disease can take supplemental hormones. Use of these hormones has no effect on whether their disease recurs. It does, however, help to manage symptoms of menopause caused by removal of the ovaries and to protect against bone loss, just as it does in women who have not had ovarian cancer.
Go to the next section of Taking Charge: Diet, Lifestyle and Cancer or Return to the Index
More Information:
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
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