Personal stories

Follow the links below to find out how other people have coped after they finished their cancer treatment. Not all of the people sharing their stories have had ovarian cancer – some have not even had a gynaecological cancer – but their stories have common themes that many people will relate to.

Francine Marques. Young women with ovarian cancer: emotional impact and early menopause
Ovarian Cancer Australia (AUS, 2017)
Dr Francine Marques was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 31. She describes her experiences and how she coped with her diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer.
 (YouTube video)

‘It’s not selfish – it’s self care’, Linnet Hunter
Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre; Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (AUS, 2016)
Linnet Hunter describes how she took care of herself during her experience of cervical cancer, with the support of family, friends and her treating team. Linnet's story is relevant for people recovering from any type of cancer.
  (PDF article)

Living with gynaecological cancer 4.1 Getting back to life
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (AUS, 2013)
Three women who have experienced gynaecological cancer discuss how it has affected their life in general. Includes comments from a gynaecological cancer nurse and social worker. Sometimes YouTube suggests other videos on similar topics. Please be aware that these other videos have not been reviewed for the Navigator, and may not be reputable.
 (YouTube video)

Just take it day to day
Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC)
Cancer survivors discuss their feelings following the end of treatment, and how they managed them. YouTube sometimes suggests other videos on similar topics. Please be aware that these other videos have not been reviewed for the Navigator and may not be reputable.
 (YouTube – series of 10 videos)

A common path: Life after cancer
North Eastern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (NEMICS) (AUS, 2017)
Cancer survivors provide support and advice to others about strategies they used to return to living well after endometrial cancer. YouTube sometimes suggests other videos on similar topics. Please be aware that these other videos have not been reviewed for the Navigator and may not be reputable.
 (YouTube video – 20 mins)

Living with gynaecological cancer 4.3 Emotional changes
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (AUS, 2013)
Three women who have experienced gynaecological cancer discuss how their emotions were affected. Includes comments from a gynaecological cancer nurse and social worker.
YouTube sometimes suggests other videos on similar topics. Please be aware that these other videos have not been reviewed for the Navigator, and may not be reputable.
 (YouTube video)

Patient stories: Vali
Future Fertility (AUS)
Vali tells her story of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 19. Her unaffected ovarian tissue was preserved and she was eventually able to have twins several years later. Scroll down the page to find Vali's story.
 (video)

Relationships: Negotiating new relationships
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (AUS, 2013)
A young woman tells her story of finding a new relationship following treatment for cervical cancer. Includes tips from gynaecological cancer social worker on the kinds of topics that women might wish to discuss with their new partner. YouTube sometimes suggests other videos on similar topics. Please be aware that these other videos have not been reviewed for the Navigator, and may not be reputable.
 (YouTube video)

Living with gynaecological cancer: part 3.3: Intimate and sexual relationships
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (AUS, 2013)
Two women discuss the impact of cancer on sexuality and intimacy in their relationships. Includes comments from a gynaecological cancer nurse and social worker. YouTube sometimes suggests other videos on similar topics. Please be aware that these other videos have not been reviewed for the Navigator, and may not be reputable.
 (YouTube video)