Women with ovarian cancer find support online
October 24, 2018
While everyone’s experience with ovarian cancer is unique, there is no support like that of someone who has been there. And that’s exactly what women with ovarian cancer find on OVdialogue, an online platform specifically for women living with the disease.
Just a year since its launch, more than 400 women joined OVdialogue. Today, there are over 100 discussions underway and they cover a wide range of topics such as recurrence, chemotherapy, online resources, and everything in between. Uniquely, one discussion is dedicated anything other than cancer, inviting women to take their minds off their journeys and focus simply on getting to know one another.
OVdialogue is more than an online discussion, it’s a community. Whether women log in on a daily basis, or tune in every now and then, they have a special opportunity to exchange insights and share their stories.
Andrea Brennan, better known as @TeddyBear by her fellow OVdialogue users, was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer in July 2016 and was one of the first to join the conversation.
“Before OVdialogue, I had never connected with another woman who had ovarian cancer,” says Andrea. “I have my friends and family who provide so much love and support during this journey, but it’s just as important to connect with someone who knows what I’m going through.”
Moderated by Ovarian Cancer Canada staff and volunteers, OVdialogue is a safe space where women can share what’s on their minds, whenever they want from wherever they are.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m not on OVdialogue as much as I should be, sometimes I try to put this disease out of mind,” explains Andrea. “But I find myself needing to hear stories from other women, to know I’m not alone. You can feel the outpour of support on OVdialogue and we all have the same desire for more information.”
Andrea’s dog, Teddy Bear, is the inspiration behind her OVdialogue username
Andrea attended cancer support groups in the past, but found it difficult to connect. “No one in the room had the same diagnosis as me and because I’m not a highway driver, I had to ask for rides to and from the meetings,” she says. “My whole family pitched in, we put a lot of time and effort into it, but I wasn’t getting enough in return.”
The growing number of participants and discussions on OVdialogue make it clear that women across the country are actively looking to connect.
“OVdialogue is for all of us, regardless of where we are in this journey. Even if you’ve just been diagnosed, I would encourage you to join. It’s a safe place to ask questions and share your thoughts,” says Andrea. “It’s important to see that there are other women with ovarian cancer, and we’re still living our lives. We’re out there and I want to hear from more of us.”
Right now on OVdialogue, there could be someone looking for your support, or there could be someone with insights that would help you through your journey with this disease. If you have been diagnosed, whether it was recently or some time ago, join OVdialogue at ovariancanada.org/OVdialogue.
Your donation to Ovarian Cancer Canada sustains important lifelines like OVdialogue to ensure that women living with this disease know they aren’t alone. Please give generously at ovariancanada.org/donate.