Ovarian cancer information for other health professionals

Here you'll find information, signposting and support for various allied health professionals in relation to ovarian cancer diagnosis.

The entire healthcare professional team has a role to play in the care of someone with ovarian cancer. This information is designed for:

  • researchers
  • dietitians
  • physiotherapists
  • occupational therapists
  • pharmacists
  • palliative care teams
  • psychological wellbeing teams (counsellors and psychologists)

Free information guides for women with ovarian cancer

Our guides are an invaluable tool for supporting women at all stages of ovarian cancer. You can use our order form to order printed copies of the guides. All guides are Information Standard compliant.

  • 'What happens next?' is for women who have been recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
  • 'Back here again' is for women who are having treatment for ovarian cancer again.
  • 'My care, my future' is for women living with incurable ovarian cancer
  • 'A younger woman's guide to ovarian cancer' gives information on relationships, fertility and coping with an early menopause.
  • 'Genetic testing and hereditary ovarian' cancer provides information to women and their families on managing genetic risk.

Symptom awareness materials 

Nearly two thirds of women in England are diagnosed once the cancer has already spread, making it harder to treat. Pharmacists and health centres often see women when they are first experiencing symptoms, and play a vital role in encouraging women to take their symptoms seriously and to see their GP.

Read our symptoms leaflet [PDF]

You can help raise awareness by ordering our free posters and leaflets to display in your local workplace.

Guidelines and reports

Journal articles

All allied health professionals

Living with and beyond cancer 2: the role of allied health professionals, support workers and volunteers (Nursing Times) [PDF]content

Prehabilitation in ovarian cancer
  • SCHNEIDER, S. et al. (2020) Prehabilitation programs and ERAS protocols in gynecological oncology: a comprehensive review. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 301(2) pp. 315–326.
Enhanced recovery in ovarian cancer
  • Kay, A. H. et al. (2020) 'Postoperative narcotic use in patients with ovarian cancer on an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway', Gynecologic oncology, 156(3) pp. 624–628.
  • Bisch, S. P. et al. (2019) 'Impact of transversus abdominis plane blocks versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory on post-operative opioid use in ERAS ovarian cancer surgery', International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society, 29(9), pp. 1372–1376. 
  • Wijk, L. et al. (2019) 'International validation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society guidelines on enhanced recovery for gynecologic surgery', American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 221(3), p. 237.
  • Dowdy, S. C. (2019) 'Enhanced recovery after surgery for ovarian cancer', Clinical advances in hematology & oncology  17(4), pp. 217–219.
  • Meyer, L. A. et al. (2019) 'Comparison of patient reported symptom burden on an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) care pathway in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing primary vs. interval tumor reductive surgery', Gynecologic oncology, 152(3), pp. 501–508.
  • Meyer, L. A. et al. (2018) 'Effect of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program on Opioid Use and Patient-Reported Outcomes', Obstetrics and gynecology, 132(2), pp. 281–290. 
Dietetics
Physiotherapy
  • Lin, K.-Y. et al. (2019) ‘The impact of gynaecological cancer treatment on physical activity levels: a systematic review of observational studies’, Brazilian Journal Of Physical Therapy, 23(2), pp. 79–92. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.11.007.
  • Lindgren, A., Dunberger, G. and Enblom, A. (2017) 'Experiences of incontinence and pelvic floor muscle training after gynaecologic cancer treatment', Supportive Care In Cancer: Official Journal Of The Multinational Association Of Supportive Care In Cancer, 25(1), pp.157–166.
  • Iwersen, L. F. et al. (2017) 'Evidence-based practice in the management of lower limb lymphedema after gynecological cancer', Physiotherapy Theory & Practice, 33(1), pp. 1–8.
  • LIN, K.-Y. et al (2016) 'Exercise interventions for patients with gynaecological cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis'. Physiotherapy,  102(4), pp. 309–319.
  • Cheong, I. Y. et al. (2019) ‘Functional loss in daily activity in ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy’, Archives Of Gynecology And Obstetrics, 299(4), pp. 1063–1069. 
  • CAVE,T,NECK, C (2019). 'Can a physical activity intervention for individuals with an ovarian cancer diagnosis improve outcomes?' The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy UK Conference, 19-20 October 2018, Birmingham, UK. Physiotherapy,  105, 150–151, 2019.
Occupational therapy
  • Roy, A. G. et al. (2020) 'Assessment of poor functional status and post-acute care needs following primary ovarian cancer debulking surgery', International Journal Of Gynecological Cancer: Official Journal Of The International Gynecological Cancer Society, 30(2), pp. 227–232. 
  • Cheong, I. Y. et al. (2019) 'Functional loss in daily activity in ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy', Archives Of Gynecology And Obstetrics, 299(4), pp. 1063–1069.
Palliative care
  • Astrup, G. L. et al. (2017) 'Patient factors and quality of life outcomes differ among four subgroups of oncology patients based on symptom occurrence', Acta Oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden), 56(3), pp. 462–470.
  • Wen, Q. et al. (2017) 'Mental distress, quality of life and social support in recurrent ovarian cancer patients during active chemotherapy', European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 216, pp. 85–91.
  • Lee, Y. C. et al. (2019) 'Optimizing the Care of Malignant Bowel Obstruction in Patients With Advanced Gynecologic Cancer', Journal of Oncology Practice, 15(12), 1066–e1075.
Psychological wellbeing teams- counsellors, psychologists
  • Howell, D., Fitch, M. I. and Deane, K. A. (2003) 'Impact of ovarian cancer perceived by women', Cancer Nursing, 26(1), 1–9.
  • Greimel, E. R. and Freidl, W. (2000) 'Functioning in daily living and psychological well-being of female cancer patients', Journal Of Psychosomatic Obstetrics And Gynaecology, 21(1), pp. 25–30.
  • Liu, H. and Yang, L. (2019) 'Dynamic change of depression and anxiety after chemotherapy among patients with ovarian cancer', Medicine, 98(31), e16620. 
  • Hill, E. M. and Hamm, A. (2019) 'Intolerance of uncertainty, social support, and loneliness in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer', Psycho-oncology, 28(3), 553-560.
  • Beesley, V. L. et al. (2018) 'Coping strategies, trajectories, and their associations with patient-reported outcomes among women with ovarian cancer', Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 26(12), 4133–4142.
  • Wen, Q. et al. (2017) 'Mental distress, quality of life and social support in recurrent ovarian cancer patients during active chemotherapy', European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 216, pp. 85–91. 
Clinical researchers

Testing approaches to sharing trial results with participants: The Show RESPECT cluster randomised, factorial, mixed methods trial https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003798