Global Patient Survey Results Reveal Significant Negative Impact on Social, Emotional and Mental Well-Being for People Living with Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer - Seite 2

LGSOC is a rare, highly recurrent, and fatal ovarian cancer characterized by persistent tumor growth that requires continuous treatment; 85% percent of people with LGSOC have their cancer come back after remission. It often affects younger women and can be diagnosed as early as the 20s and 30s, with a median age of diagnosis around 45. Widespread awareness and understanding of specific patient needs remain low. People with LGSOC have few available treatment options, and there is no FDA-approved treatment specifically for LGSOC.

“Having navigated my own journey with LGSOC and connecting with so many others impacted by this disease, the findings of this survey reinforce the sad but very real truth: the burdens of LGSOC encompass every aspect of life after a diagnosis,” said Nicole Andrews, Board of Directors Chair, STAAR Ovarian Cancer Foundation and a member of the LGSOC Patient Impact Survey Advisory Committee. “These findings underscore the critical need for comprehensive support systems that address not only the medical challenges of LGSOC but also the emotional, social, and financial burdens placed on patients. The LGSOC journey is filled with uncertainty and isolation, and it is only through holistic support that we can ease this path and bolster hope for all those affected.”

Impacts of LGSOC on Daily Life

According to the survey, the impacts of LGSOC extend beyond health concerns, affecting many aspects of a person’s life, including their social and emotional well-being, employment and finances.

• 61% of respondents found it hard to relate to other women their age, and 56.5% didn’t feel they had anyone they could talk to about LGSOC.
• 46% of respondents said LGSOC has negatively impacted their romantic relationships (e.g., spouse, partner, dating), and 32% reported negative impacts on relationships with family and friends.
• 68% of respondents reported a negative impact on their jobs or careers, with 52% missing work to manage their cancer and 23% having to cut back on necessities to afford treatment.
• Biggest challenges reported by people with LGSOC were living with the uncertainty of cancer recurrence (68%), having limited treatment options (60%), and dealing with side effects from treatment (52%).

The factors most closely associated* with a negative mental health impact were difficulty with treatment-related side effects (OR=5.0, 95% CI 1.46-17.0), constant worry about LGSOC (OR=4.03, 95% CI 1.53-10.62), financial challenges (OR=2.57, 95% CI 1.02-6.45), and having no one to talk to about their disease (OR=2.55, 95% CI 1.02-6.40).