Ovarian Cancer Support Groups: Finding Your Lifeline

Ovarian cancer support groups provide essential connection and understanding when you need it most. They create spaces where you can connect with others who truly understand what you’re experiencing, from the anxious nights before scan results (“scanxiety”) to the practical challenges of managing treatment side effects and navigating conversations with family and friends.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer, in active treatment, or years into survivorship, finding the right support community can significantly improve both your emotional well-being and your ability to navigate treatment decisions.

Why Join an Ovarian Cancer Support Group?

Before exploring specific groups, let’s consider the meaningful benefits support groups provide:

• Breaking isolation. Cancer can create profound loneliness. Support groups connect you with others who understand.
• Firsthand knowledge. Gain practical insights from people with lived experience.
• Emotional expression. Share feelings in a space where you don’t need to protect others from difficult emotions.
• Improved quality of life. Support groups can positively impact mental and emotional well-being during and after treatment.
• Renewed perspective. Meeting survivors years beyond diagnosis can transform your outlook.
• Navigating transitions. From body changes to work challenges, support groups help you adapt.
• Managing difficult emotions. Sharing fears and anxieties in a safe space often diminishes their power.

Ovarian Cancer Support Groups

Now, let’s explore the groups that could help you and your loved ones find essential connections as you navigate your journey.

• LGSOC Support Groups
• Ovarian Cancer Support Community
• Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) Support Programs
• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC)
• CancerCare Ovarian Cancer Patient Support Group
• 4th Angel Mentoring Program
• Ovarian Cancer Project
• American Cancer Society (ACS) Support Programs
• CaringBridge

LGSOC Support Groups

Joining a support group can help ease the isolation that often comes with a rare ovarian cancer diagnosis, such as low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC). It can also be a valuable source of information and support.

The LGSOC Initiative hosts two support groups on Facebook for people impacted by low-grade serous ovarian cancer: one for people living with LGSOC and another for their carers, family and friends.

LGSOC Facebook Peer-Support Group

The LGSOC Facebook Peer-Support Group is a group for anyone diagnosed with LGSOC. It’s a place where you can show up as your authentic self, ask questions, and find people who can relate to what you are going through. The group provides support, information, and encouragement to people with low-grade serous ovarian cancer. The LGSOC Initiative hosts the group, and it’s moderated by volunteers who also have LGSOC. 

Join the LGSOC Facebook Group.

Family, Carers and Friends Facebook Peer-Support Group

LGSOC impacts not just the person with a diagnosis but also their carers, family, and friends. People without a diagnosis can join this group to share their experiences and connect with others supporting loved ones with LGSOC. The LGSOC Initiative hosts the group on Facebook, and it’s moderated by volunteers whose loved ones have been affected by LGSOC. 

Join the Family & Friends Support Group.

Ovarian Cancer Support Community

The Ovarian Cancer Support Community provides a vital connection point for patients, families, friends, and caregivers seeking support through every stage of the cancer journey.

The platform facilitates meaningful conversations about treatments, side effects, clinical trials, and the day-to-day realities of living with ovarian cancer.

Sponsored by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) in partnership with Inspire, this community offers the added benefit of reliable, research-backed information alongside peer support. This combination helps members make more informed decisions about their health while feeling emotionally supported.

Join the Ovarian Cancer Alliance Support Community.

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) Support Programs

OCRA provides three specialized support programs for gynecologic cancer patients:

The Woman to Woman Peer Mentor Program pairs you with a trained survivor volunteer who has experienced a similar diagnosis. These mentors provide personalized one-on-one support from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. 

The program carefully matches mentors based on diagnosis, age, language, and culture, ensuring meaningful connections. Mentors communicate via phone, video call, or sometimes in person, offering a safe space to discuss concerns and share experiences. The program operates through hospital-based sites across the country and offers virtual mentoring for those without a local program.

The Staying Connected Support Series offers international online psychoeducational workshops facilitated by oncology social workers. Weekly sessions address specific needs (new diagnosis, recurrence, specific cancer types), while monthly community activities include a Book Club and Express Yourself arts sessions. This structured program helps participants gain new insights while forming meaningful connections with others on similar journeys.

The Steps 1:1 Counseling program provides free professional counseling with licensed experts in gynecologic cancer support. Available in select states, this program matches participants with counselors who develop personalized education and support plans. 

Sessions address various needs—from navigating a new diagnosis to managing treatment side effects, family dynamics, or difficult emotions. All sessions occur via phone or video conference with follow-up resources tailored to specific concerns.

Access OCRA Support Resources.

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC)

The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition offers comprehensive support services designed with one crucial understanding: you are not in this alone. Their approach goes beyond just emotional support to address many practical challenges that come with an ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Peer Support Groups

NOCC’s peer support groups connect you with others who truly understand the ovarian cancer journey. They offer:

• Survivor Peer Groups: Regional and shared-experience support groups where you’ll find a compassionate community of people living with ovarian cancer at all stages
• Caregiver Peer Group: A dedicated space for family members and caregivers to connect and share their unique experiences

Join NOCC Peer Support Programs.

Beyond Emotional Support

NOCC also offers practical support services that address real-life challenges:

• Ovarian Cancer Care Packages: Free packages filled with useful resources and thoughtful items for those newly diagnosed or facing recurrence
• Meal Delivery: Free, nutritionist-designed meals delivered to your door during ovarian cancer treatment
• Grief and Loss Support: A six-week program guided by licensed social workers to help navigate loss
• Financial Assistance: Help with non-medical expenses to reduce barriers to treatment and clinical trial participation

Explore NOCC Support Services. 

CancerCare Ovarian Cancer Patient Support Group

CancerCare’s free 15-week online support group creates a structured environment specifically for people currently receiving treatment for ovarian cancer. The group is led by a professional oncology social worker who provides both emotional support and practical guidance throughout your journey.

Participants report reduced feelings of loneliness and anxiety, increased hope, and better communication with both medical teams and loved ones. The group also helps members develop new coping strategies and access practical information about treatments and resources.

Note that CancerCare’s online support groups are currently only available to people residing within the United States (including Puerto Rico and U.S. territories).

Join CancerCare’s Ovarian Cancer Support Group

4th Angel Mentoring Program

The 4th Angel program offers one-on-one mentoring. This unique service pairs you with a trained mentor who has faced similar cancer experiences and is of similar age. These mentors have walked the path you’re on and can offer both practical wisdom and emotional understanding.

Unlike some support options, 4th Angel also offers dedicated support for caregivers, recognizing that those who provide care face their own unique challenges during the cancer journey.

Connect with a 4th Angel Mentor.

Ovarian Cancer Project

The Ovarian Cancer Project offers professionally facilitated support groups that create vital face-to-face connections in safe, confidential environments. The Ovarian Cancer Project runs two key support groups:

• Gynecologic Cancer Survivor Support Group: Meets every 3rd Saturday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM in a hybrid format (both in-person and via Zoom)
• Caregiver Support Group: Meets every 3rd Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, also in a hybrid format

What makes these groups special is their professional facilitation combined with peer leadership. Facilitators guide discussions while ensuring everyone has space to share their experiences in a structured, supportive environment.

These valuable support services are completely free of charge. New members can join at any time, regardless of where they are in their cancer journey — newly diagnosed, facing recurrence, or long-term survivors.

Join an Ovarian Cancer Project Support Group.

American Cancer Society (ACS) Support Programs

The American Cancer Society offers several valuable support options for ovarian cancer patients:

24/7 Cancer Helpline

Call 1-800-227-2345 anytime to speak with trained specialists who can answer questions and provide support during difficult moments.

Cancer Survivors Network

Connect with other patients and caregivers through online discussion boards and chat rooms, building your own support community.

Practical Support Programs

ACS offers assistance with lodging during treatment through their Hope Lodge program, transportation to appointments via Road To Recovery volunteers, and access to post-surgical products.

Explore ACS Programs and Services.

CaringBridge

CaringBridge offers a unique approach to support by connecting patients with their existing networks in a more manageable way. This nonprofit platform surrounds family caregivers with support while they navigate a health journey.

CaringBridge simplifies communication and care coordination during overwhelming times. Instead of making dozens of emotionally taxing calls or sending repeated updates, you can create a free, private website where:

• You share health updates once, reaching everyone simultaneously
• Friends and family can leave messages of support (over 4.5 million supportive messages were posted last year alone)
• Your community can coordinate practical help like meals and transportation
• You create a documented journey that helps process the experience

With over 240,000 daily visitors, this platform has proven its value in creating meaningful support networks during health challenges, including ovarian cancer journeys.

Create a CaringBridge Site.

Finding the Right Ovarian Cancer Support Group

With so many options, how do you find the group that’s right for you? Here are practical steps:

• Ask your oncology team. Your ovarian cancer doctors and nurses likely know about local resources and can make recommendations based on your specific situation.
• Consider your preferences. Think about whether you prefer in-person or online meetings, connecting with people who have your specific type of cancer, and if you want a structured professional-led group or a casual peer setting. Also, consider what time commitment works for your schedule.
• Try different groups. It’s completely normal to “sample” different support options before finding your fit. The chemistry and culture of groups vary widely.
• Use online directories. Resources like the American Cancer Society’s local resource search tool, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance’s support group finder, and National Cancer Institute’s support services locator can help you find groups.
• Check hospital offerings. Many major cancer centers run their own support programs.

Beyond Support Groups: Additional Resources

Support groups are powerful, but they’re not the only source of help during your ovarian cancer journey:

Cancer Helplines

Sometimes you need immediate answers or support. These helplines connect you with trained specialists:

• Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA): 212-268-1002 (Monday to Friday)
• American Cancer Society 24/7 Cancer Helpline: 1-800-227-2345
• Helpline by Cancer Support Community / Gilda’s Club: 888-793-9355 (9am-8pm Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday)

Financial Support Resources

Cancer isn’t just emotionally challenging — it can be financially devastating. Resources that may help include:

• CancerCare’s financial assistance programs
• OCRA’s financial assistance resources 
• Pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs
• Non-profit co-pay relief organizations
• Government assistance programs
• NOCC’s financial assistance for non-medical expenses related to treatment

Ask your healthcare team about a meeting with an oncology social worker who can guide you to specific financial resources for your situation.

Your Healthcare Team

Don’t underestimate the support available from your actual cancer care team:

• Oncologists can discuss treatment options and clinical trials
• Nurses can provide symptom management advice
• Social workers can connect you with community resources
• Psychologists can help with coping strategies

Is a Support Group Right for You?

While support groups offer tremendous benefits, they’re not for everyone. Before joining, consider:

• Are you comfortable discussing personal experiences in a group setting?
• Do you find hearing others’ cancer stories helpful or anxiety-producing?
• Do you have the emotional energy to engage with a group regularly?
• What are your specific support needs right now?

It’s okay if traditional support groups don’t feel right for you. Some people prefer one-on-one counseling, online research, or focusing on activities that provide distraction and joy rather than directly discussing cancer.

Taking Action: Next Steps

At Not These Ovaries, we believe that action and understanding save lives. Connecting with meaningful support represents an essential part of the cancer journey — one that can profoundly impact how you navigate this challenging path.