Psycho-oncology
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A diagnosis of ovarian cancer requires a woman to reevaluate her interactions with family, friends, and employers, and cope with unexpected and unwanted changes in areas spanning from financial stability to sexuality and fertility. Social well-being is the aspect of a patient's overall quality of life that encompasses these topics, as it has evolved to represent activities related to roles and relationships at work and at home. The purpose of this study was to explore the social well-being of women with ovarian cancer to better define their needs for the health care community. ⋯ Issues related to employment and returning to work (n = 74) focused on both the difficulties in taking time off work to receive treat-ment and sense of achievement felt upon returning to work and regaining normalcy. The themes identified in this study challenge healthcare professionals to provide increased disease-specific support, as well as concomitant sup-port for husbands/partners and children of patients. Additional information on genetic testing and counseling for women at-risk due to a family history of ovarian cancer is also needed.