Survivors of Ovarian Cancer

[mari8338]

Hello,
My grandma was diagnosed with stage3 ovarian cancer. She is currently going through chemo.
I have a question to those that are survivors of ovarian cancer. What did you think helped prevent or really prolong. Did you take any supplements? Any information would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
the two therapeutic interventions that help include surgery and chemotherapy

for surgery, if it is possible to remove most or all of the caner, the woman has a higher chance of a prolonged remission

for chemotherapy, combination platinum chemotherapy such as carboplatin and taxol are considered the best chemo agents . Using these drugs plus having a good surgery gives someone a 80 percent chance of going into remission

there is no clear evidence for how other interventions can help but there is some information for women with breast cancer that women who went to support groups had a better survival than those who did not not.  Hope,prayer, love, family, meaning in life add strength to life that is hard to measure.

there is no scientific data to suggest that vitamins help but having a strong blood count and good nutrition is always good as the building blocks to health
best wishes

[sassysurvivor]

Hi Mari,

    I hope Dr. Goodman doesn't mind me interjecting, but I believe that there are a lot of factors that can affect survivorship positively or negatively. Certainly the surgery and chemotherapy are of critical importance, but I think to keep cancer at bay it needs to be fought on all fronts. When I was diagnosed (stage IIIC in October 2007 ), I completely changed my diet. I eat a mostly plant based diet, little meat, little dairy, and no processed food or sugar. I take a variety of supplements, I work out several times a week, I try to get out in the sunshine each day, I pray, I meditate, and I try to enjoy life. I have been in remission ever since treatment, and while I know that  surgery and chemotherapy play a huge part in that, I also believe that thebother things I am doing have helped me greatly.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Mari
thank you for your excellent comments!
much appreciated!
take care