How to Tell Your Family and Friends you Have Ovarian Cancer

Coping with an ovarian cancer diagnosis--the presence of malignant cells or tumors in or on an ovary--is difficult enough. Having to tell others can sometimes be even more stressful than the initial diagnosis. While telling your family and friends can be an emotionally challenging experience, going through an ovarian cancer diagnosis alone would be worse.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Show More

Instructions

Determine How and When You Want to Tell Your Family and Friends

• 1

  Think about your family's feelings in addition to your own. While telling others may be difficult, think about how your family would feel if they found out another way or long after you knew.

• 2

  Determine what you want to tell children. The extent of what you tell them is often dependent on the age of the children in question. Remember that maturity level may vary widely among children of the same age.

• 3

  Choose who you want to know. While letting your family know about your diagnosis is important, so is your mental health. Some people may not be able to handle the information and you would be better off without their pessimism or negativity.

Prepare Yourself for How Your Family is Going to Cope With the News of Your Diagnosis

• 4

  Expect and accept different reactions. There is no correct way to deal with the news of your ovarian cancer. Your family may experience anger and depression, or may overcompensate with positive and upbeat feelings.

• 5

  Understand that people might not know what to say and could say things that seem insensitive.

• 6

  Be prepared to answer your family's questions about ovarian cancer. Let your family and friends talk to your doctor if they have questions you can't answer.

• 7

  Consider family cancer support groups. There are many groups specifically for people who have a loved one going through cancer.

• 8

  Remember that your needs are a priority and explain clearly to your family and friends how they can help. Have different family members do jobs to make your life easier. Explain to them that they may have to adjust to lifestyle changes that are important for you.