Discussion board a safe place for information sharing
November 22, 2017
Women with ovarian cancer are connecting online and confronting the disease alongside others who have been there. One of the ways they are finding each other is through OVdialogue, a moderated online discussion board where they can ask questions and post responses, exchanging information directly with peers who have experienced the disease.
“You learn new things by reading what other people do to cope with treatment and side effects,” says Ana Cardoso, a woman in Quebec City who was one of the first to sign up for OVdialogue. “If you find anything particularly relevant, you can bring the information to your doctor to see if it’s right for you.”
Treatment and side effects are two of the most popular topics on OVdialogue. While conversations are just getting started, women are also sharing their thoughts on anxiety and returning to work. Others are posting updates on their journey and what helped them. In her own way, each person contributing is taking steps to make the community her own.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2016, Ana attends a support group from time to time. However, her ability to attend in-person is often limited.
“I don’t drive in the city, so travelling to a support group can be difficult. OVdialogue lets me get in touch with my peers any day, at any time, and from home,” she says. “It makes it much easier to get in touch with people who know what I am going through.”
To help with her anxiety as she awaits her most recent test results, Ana found a related discussion where women were sharing links to resources on meditation and physical activity. The information brought her new perspective.
“Some women were talking about the importance of exercise and it inspired me to get active,” she says. “I realize that it’s important and I feel even better since starting a new routine.”
As word about OVdialogue spreads, more women are continuing to join, enriching discussions with their questions and insights.
Five key benefits set OVdialogue apart from existing online resources for women with ovarian cancer:
- You can find information easily, as topics are organized into discussions. Beyond this, you can use the search tool to scan all discussions for specific words and pinpoint information you are looking for
- You can protect your privacy by remaining anonymous as you post questions and responses
- There is no need to join a social media community to participate in discussions. So your information isn’t owned by a large corporation
- Because OVdialogue is independent of social media, and made specifically for women living with ovarian cancer, your friends and family will not have easy access to your posts. This gives you freedom to be entirely candid
- The community is moderated by staff to ensure a safe space, where discussions are welcoming and inclusive
“It’s unique to be able to talk freely and share your experience with women who are going through the same thing,” adds Ana. “Knowing there are others who have lived with this for a long time gives me hope.”
If you are living with ovarian cancer, there may be someone on OVdialogue who could benefit from your knowledge, or someone who has information that you might find useful. Find out today by checking out the latest discussions at ovariancanada.org/OVdialogue.
If you like what you see, please register to begin posting and sharing your story. You can sign up in minutes by clicking “Register” at the top of any page.