Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC)

Self-Care

LGSOC comes with a unique set of challenges, but there are things you can do to anticipate and work through them. Resources are available to help you find ovarian cancer clinical trials, therapy options, and other people living with LGSOC for social and emotional support. Be your own best advocate: get involved, ask questions, and stay informed about LGSOC management and new treatment options.

Find a medical team you trust

  • Your ovarian cancer specialist (a type of doctor who has treated LGSOC) will be a key member of your care team. Your doctor should be able to help you find one in your area
  • Consider a second opinion. Meeting (in person or virtually) with more than one ovarian cancer specialist may help you find a treatment option that you are confident in and that feels right for you
  • Connect with a center of excellence. A center of excellence is a hospital where doctors are experts in treating people with specific diseases and conditions, including rare types of ovarian cancers, like LGSOC

Get connected

Finding a support community is key to living with LGSOC. There are several groups and forums on social media sites where you can connect with people who understand what you are going through. Their experiences may help you better understand yours. At the same time, sharing your own experiences may help someone else living with LGSOC.

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) logo

A support group for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, including LGSOC, and their immediate family members or caretakers.

STAAR Ovarian Cancer Foundation logo

A US nonprofit dedicated to low-grade serous ovarian cancer research.

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition logo

NOCC’s Teal Hearts Network, a regional peer-to-peer online support group, allows you to connect with other survivors for the emotional support needed to navigate this journey.

Watch people talk about the importance of having support throughout their journey

Stay informed

Stay up to date on the latest information on LGSOC.

Resources

Quickly find downloadable resources, videos, LGSOC news, and more.

Make your mental health a priority

In addition to impacting your physical health, cancer can take a toll on your mental health. Pay attention to how you are feeling, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it.

People with ovarian cancer are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders than the general public.

Talk to your doctor about any issues you may be experiencing or consider talking to a licensed therapist.

Consider connecting with a licensed therapist in person or online

Here are some resources to get started:

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) logo

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

Getting a diagnosis can be incredibly overwhelming. OCRA offers information, resources, and support for patients and their families.

Foundation for Women's Cancer logo

Foundation for Women's Cancer

A nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness of gynecologic cancer risk awareness, prevention, early detection, and optimal treatment.

The information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice.

Nutrition

A healthy, nutritious diet is a key part of managing symptoms. Working with a nutrition professional can make eating healthy a little easier. They can help you create a diet that includes the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need to stay strong.

A nutrition professional can help you:

  • Manage common treatment symptoms
  • Ensure your body’s basic nutrient and calorie goals are being met
  • Keep a healthy weight and avoid muscle loss
  • Maintain your overall quality of life during and after treatment

Talk to a nutrition professional, preferably a Registered Dietitian (RD) who is also a Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO). Your care team may include one or be able to recommend one. If they cannot, consider contacting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

See how nutrition can support your treatment

Exercise

Stay active to maintain your overall health. Regular exercise can reduce fatigue, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, and improve quality of life.

Ask your healthcare team to help create an exercise program that is right for you.

Do not start an exercise routine without talking to your doctor(s) first. Regular exercise may not be appropriate for all people with LGSOC.

Sexual health/fertility

Cancer and cancer treatment may impact your sexual desire and function. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor if you have questions about sex. Your doctor can let you know what’s safe, what to avoid, and any other precautions you may need to take.


LGSOC can affect your sexual well-being and ability to become pregnant. Make sure your doctor knows your fertility goals prior to surgery or starting LGSOC management and treatment so they can help you understand your options for family planning.

Discuss fertility with your doctor prior to surgery

Ovarian cancer surgeries and certain treatments can affect your ability to get pregnant. Talk to your doctor to learn about how your cancer and/or treatment may affect your fertility.

Ellie, a person living with LGSOC, shares her experiences in planning a family.

Information about ovarian cancer and fertility

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society improves the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support.

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) logo

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

A support group for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, including LGSOC, and their immediate family members or caretakers.

Expect change

Don’t let treatment-induced menopause take you by surprise

People undergoing treatment for LGSOC may enter menopause early. This is due to treatments as well as surgical procedures, like oophorectomy (the removal of one or both ovaries) or a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus), that can induce menopause.

Dealing with low-grade serous ovarian menopause during cancer treatment isn’t easy. Don’t be afraid to lean on caregivers and loved ones for emotional support, and connect with people who have gone through or are going through a similar experience.

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

Removal of the ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) will result in what is called surgical menopause.

Stay informed

Stay up to date on the latest information on LGSOC.

Resources

Quickly find downloadable resources, videos, LGSOC news, and more.

Clinical trials

If your cancer hasn’t responded well to treatment, ask your doctor about enrolling in a clinical trial.

Holistic medicine

Holistic medicine (also known as alternative, integrative, or complementary medicine) may help improve your well-being. The treatment that your doctor prescribes will addresses your cancer directly, while holistic medicine may help complement your prescribed cancer treatment.

National Institute of Health (NIL) logo

National Cancer Institute

Learn more about complementary and alternative medicine.

Mayo Clinic logo

Mayo Clinic

11 options to consider for alternative cancer treatments.

Information for caregivers

Caregivers, friends, and family: Make sure to check in with your loved ones often during this process. Go with them to meet potential providers and tour treatment centers if possible.

Caregivers: Consider connecting with other caregivers. There are support groups for caregivers that can provide you with insight and information you may find helpful.

Caregivers, friends, and family: Caring for your own mental health is equally important.

Explore more

Support groups for caregivers

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition logo

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

NOCC’s Teal Hearts Network, a regional peer-to-peer online support group, allows you to connect with other survivors for the emotional support needed to navigate this journey.

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) logo

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

A support group for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, including LGSOC, and their immediate family members or caretakers.

Stay informed

Stay up to date on the latest information on LGSOC.

Resources

Quickly find downloadable resources, videos, LGSOC news, and more.

Norton TR, Manne SL, Rubin S, et al. Prevalence and predictors of psychological distress among women with ovarian cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2004;22(5)919-926.

MD Anderson Cancer Center. Social and emotional impacts of cancer. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/life-after-cancer/social-emotional-impacts.html

National Cancer Institute. Cancer support groups. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/adjusting-to-cancer/support-groups

American Cancer Society. Seeking a second opinion. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/finding-care/seeking-a-second-opinion.html

Elrod JK, Fortenberry JL Jr. Centers of excellence in healthcare institutions: what they are and how to assemble them. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017;17(suppl 1):425.

Hu S, Baraghoshi D, Chang C-P, et al. Mental health disorders among ovarian cancer survivors in a population-based cohort. Cancer Med. 2023;12(2):1801-1812.

National Cancer Institute. Nutrition in cancer care (PDQ®) patient version. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss/nutrition-pdq#_125

American Cancer Society. Physical activity and the person with cancer. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/be-healthy-after-treatment/physical-activity-and-the-cancer-patient.html

American Cancer Society. Sex and the adult female with cancer. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility-and-sexual-side-effects/sexuality-for-women-with-cancer.html

American Cancer Society. Female fertility and cancer. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility-and-sexual-side-effects/fertility-and-women-with-cancer.html

Mayo Clinic. Alternative cancer treatments: 11 options to consider. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cancer-treatment/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20047246

National Cancer Institute. Complementary and alternative medicine. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam

American Cancer Society. Clinical trials: what you need to know. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/clinical-trials/what-you-need-to-know.html

American Cancer Society. Caregiver resource guide. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/caregivers/caregiver-resource-guide.html

National Cancer Institute. Support for caregivers of cancer patients. Accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/caregiver-support

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. Getting the best care: Essential information for gynecologic cancer patients. Accessed June 18, 2025. https://ocrahope.org/for-patients/getting-the-best-care/

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