Your Healthcare Team
Like all cancers, ovarian cancer is a complex disease that requires a team of healthcare professionals and loved ones to help you coordinate your treatment and support.
Your doctor is responsible for evaluating your disease, helping you to decide your treatment plan, and evaluating your progress. He or she may work with other specialists so you can get the best care possible.
It is important that you and the other members of your healthcare team communicate with your doctor. This will help your doctor evaluate how well you are responding to treatment and its side effects.
Nurses play an important role in your care. They give you medicine, educate you about your treatment, and help you monitor and manage side effects. Nurses can also help you find additional support services that are available to you.
A caregiver is a family member or close friend who takes primary responsibility for helping you through treatment. Your caregiver may help with day-to-day tasks, such as making sure you eat well and feel comfortable. They may also oversee practical matters, such as your finances.
Caregivers can also give you emotional support and remind you that you are not alone.
Your family and friends can all share responsibility in assisting you and your caregiver. The roles they assume may depend on their natural abilities. For example, a friend or family member who is good organizationally may coordinate and assign tasks, and someone else who is knowledgeable about financial matters may assume responsibility for handling insurance paperwork. Do not hesitate to allow family or friends to assist you.
Social Workers counsel cancer patients and help them find and access a range of additional assistance, including financial and emotional support.
Partnering with your healthcare team
All members of your team need to work together, so you receive the best care possible.
As with any kind of team, good communication is vital for the success of your healthcare team. At times, good communication may be a challenge. Medical information can be difficult to understand, and how we feel during the day may affect our ability to listen to each other.
With this in mind, try to develop and maintain a good relationship with all members of your healthcare team. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
It can be very helpful to prepare questions for your doctor or nurse before you meet with them. Take a look at our list of sample questions.
