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 to find a care team, manage your health, and get support during treatment. Be your own best advocate: Get involved, ask questions, and stay informed about LGSOC management and new treatment options.
Living with LGSOC
Living with cancer and undergoing treatment may impact your energy, emotions, relationships, work, and daily routines. Some days may feel more manageable than others, and your needs may change over time.
Keep your healthcare team informed about how you’re feeling physically and emotionally so they can work with you to address what you are experiencing.
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.
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
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be incredibly overwhelming. OCRA offers information, resources, and support for patients and their families
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.
Managing fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common challenges people experience while living with cancer. Unlike everyday tiredness, cancer-related fatigue may not improve with rest alone and can make it harder to work, stay active, or enjoy everyday activities.
If fatigue is affecting your daily life, let your healthcare team know. They can help find strategies to help manage it. You may find it helpful to:
- Balance activity with planned periods of rest
- Stay physically active, and listen to your healthcare team’s suggestions about physical activity
- Eat well and stay hydrated
- Ask for help when you need it
- Tell your doctor if fatigue or other symptoms suddenly worsen
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.
Interested in learning more about nutrition during treatment?
Exercise
Staying active can help reduce fatigue, decrease feelings of anxiety and depression, help with pain management, and improve quality of life.
What “active” looks like will be different for everyone and can change based on where you are in your cancer journey.
It’s important to ask your healthcare team about an exercise plan that is right for you so you can optimize the benefits and mitigate any risks.
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 and 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 your 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
Surgery and other ovarian cancer 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
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 experience menopause earlier than expected due to treatments and surgical procedures such as oophorectomy (the removal of one or both ovaries) or a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus), which can induce menopause.
Dealing with LGSOC and 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.
Build your care team
If you have been diagnosed with LGSOC, it’s important to work with a healthcare team experienced in treating this rare disease.
Ask your doctor if they have experience treating people with LGSOC. If not, you may want to seek an additional expert opinion from a gynecologic oncologist or another specialist with experience treating LGSOC.
- 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
- Staying informed and working with your care team can help you take steps to manage the symptoms and side effects you may experience
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 address your cancer directly, while holistic medicine may help complement your prescribed cancer treatment.
National Cancer Institute
Learn more about complementary and alternative medicine from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health.
Resources
Quickly find downloadable resources, videos, and more.
