Family support crucial in ovarian cancer care, specialist warns against dismissing symptoms
Undergoing cancer treatment often carries emotional burdens that are not always visible, making empathy and presence from loved ones essential.
SUBANG JAYA - When a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the most powerful support her family can offer may not be solutions or reassurances but simply the willingness to listen.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) consultant gynae-oncologist Dr Gibran Geh Hashim said emotional support often begins with something many people underestimate.
"Don’t underestimate being a listening ear. When people hear cancer, they tend to say things like ‘don’t worry, you’ll be okay’. But sometimes, patients don’t want solutions; they just want someone to listen and let them vent," he said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
He added that women undergoing cancer treatment often carries emotional burdens that are not always visible, making empathy and presence from loved ones essential.
Beyond emotional support, Dr Gibran said practical help from family members can significantly ease a patient’s journey, especially during physically draining treatments such as chemotherapy.
"It’s the little things that really count. Helping with household chores, offering to send them to and from the hospital, these are things that make a big difference," he added.
He noted that chemotherapy sessions can be long and exhausting, sometimes starting early or ending late, making transport arrangements challenging.
Myths and misconceptions persist
On common misconceptions, Dr Gibran said ovarian cancer is not linked to diet and is often random.
He said there is no evidence that sugar or specific foods cause ovarian cancer.
He also debunked fears surrounding oral contraceptive pills (OCP), noting that they may actually reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
"Some women worry that taking contraceptive pills increases cancer risk, but it’s actually the opposite; it can reduce the risk," he said.
Dr Gibran also raised concerns about patients turning to traditional medicine, especially without informing their doctors.
He noted said the primary concern is the lack of transparency regarding the ingredients of those treatments, adding that if the substances affect blood clotting, surgery could lead to severe bleeding.
He added that unknown substances could also interfere with chemotherapy drugs.
"We want to avoid anything that might reduce the effectiveness of treatment," he said.
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