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Managing ovarian cancer can bring a mix of challenges, especially when other health conditions are part of the picture. Many people with ovarian cancer also have other health conditions. Some of these may have existed before the cancer diagnosis, but others may develop later as a result of the cancer or the treatment. Understanding the health issues that commonly occur alongside ovarian cancer can help you and your care team make informed decisions about treatment and overall care.
In people with ovarian cancer, having a comorbidity (co-occurring health conditions) can complicate cancer treatment and cause additional complications or symptoms. Learn more about the conditions that can be related to ovarian cancer.
Some people with ovarian cancer also have a disorder called endometriosis. This condition occurs when tissue that’s normally found inside the uterus starts growing outside the uterus. Endometriosis often leads to pain and heavy or irregular periods. Endometriosis can cause cysts to grow on the ovaries, or it can lead to scar tissue that causes organs to stick together.
People who have endometriosis are 4.2 times more likely to develop ovarian cancer compared to those who don’t have the condition. People with more severe symptoms of endometriosis have an even higher risk. Endometriosis is usually linked to type 1 ovarian cancer including endometrioid, clear cell, low-grade serous, and mucinous.
Additionally, some of the treatments for endometriosis and ovarian cancer overlap. Hormone therapy is sometimes used to slow the growth of endometriosis. Surgeries, such as oophorectomies and hysterectomies, are also sometimes used to treat endometriosis symptoms. If you receive these treatments as part of your ovarian cancer treatment, they may also help with your endometriosis. Talk to your doctor to find out how both of these conditions can be managed at the same time.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where blood pushes against the walls of the blood vessels with high force. Hypertension is very common, but it can be serious if untreated. It increases a person’s chance of other health conditions, such as heart attack, heart disease, and stroke.
In a study of over 10,000 women published in the journal Gynecologic Oncology, researchers found that hypertension is more common in women with ovarian cancer (52 percent) compared to those without (44 percent). Blood clots, which are also linked to hypertension, were also more common in people with ovarian cancer.
Some research has suggested that hypertension medications (specifically beta-blockers) may help improve ovarian cancer outcomes. However, the results overall are mixed, and more research is needed to fully understand this relationship.
People who have hypertension and ovarian cancer should talk to their care team to find out how best to treat their high blood pressure.
The term “heart disease” (or “cardiovascular disease”) refers to several different conditions, including heart defects, blood vessel diseases, and problems with heart rhythms. Heart disease can lead to a heart attack or stroke. People with ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing heart disease. This may be due to high inflammation, cancer treatment, or shared risk factors.
It’s unclear how heart disease affects ovarian cancer outcomes. Some studies have found that in people with ovarian cancer, cardiovascular disease can contribute to high mortality rates. Other research has shown that heart disease doesn’t lead to an increased chance of mortality for people with ovarian cancer. People who are at high risk for heart disease may talk to their doctor about managing their condition.
Diabetes is a condition in which a person’s body can’t make or use insulin correctly. Insulin is an important hormone that helps cells use glucose (sugar) as fuel. Diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels. According to a study published in BMJ Open, women with diabetes have a 20 percent higher risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to the rest of the population.
When it comes to ovarian cancer, people with diabetes tend to have a worse disease outlook than those without diabetes. It’s not yet clear how treatments for diabetes may impact ovarian cancer. It’s possible that diabetes medications may help improve prognosis, but researchers are continuing to study this issue. In the meantime, talk to your cancer care and diabetes team about which diabetes treatments might be the best fit for you.
Some people with ovarian cancer also have a high risk of developing breast cancer. This is because both conditions can be caused by the same genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that help cells heal damage and block cells from turning cancerous. When these genes are mutated, they don’t work properly and can increase a person’s risk for multiple types of cancer, including both breast and ovarian cancer.
Women with mutations in BRCA1 have a 40 percent to 60 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer, according to MedlinePlus, while those with BRCA2 mutations have a 20 percent to 35 percent chance of getting this disease. People with mutations in either BRCA gene have a 45 percent to 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer within their lifetime, according to Johns Hopkins. This means that if your ovarian cancer is caused by a BRCA mutation, you are more at risk for being diagnosed with breast cancer too. On the other hand, if you don’t have any BRCA mutations, you may not have an elevated risk. BRCA mutations can also raise the risk of developing other types of cancers, including pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.
Osteoporosis, a condition that leads to weak bones, is sometimes a complication of ovarian cancer. Cancer may directly affect the bones, or bones may weaken as a side effect of gynecologic cancer treatments. One study found people with ovarian cancer had lower bone mineral density than the people in the control group who didn’t have cancer. The cancer itself and some cancer therapies lower the body’s levels of estrogen. Estrogen is important for keeping bones strong.
Breaking bones is often a concern in osteoporosis. People who are worried about developing osteoporosis may be able to get bone scans to check for bone loss or take vitamin D or calcium supplements to keep bones strong. Make sure to always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Living with ovarian cancer can take a serious emotional toll. It’s common for people to experience mood changes or mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. According to a study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, women with ovarian cancer often have higher levels of depression and anxiety than those without cancer. Facing ovarian cancer can be overwhelming — both physically and emotionally.
Many factors can contribute to changes in mental health after a cancer diagnosis. Changes in daily life, physical changes, financial strain, and health conditions can all weigh heavily. These experiences can leave people feeling anxious or hopeless.
Additionally, some ovarian cancer treatments — such as hysterectomy — are also linked to higher levels of depression and anxiety. This may be due to changes in hormone levels or to dealing with sudden infertility. While everyone feels sad or upset after a cancer diagnosis, depression goes beyond normal feelings of sadness.
Symptoms of depression include:
People may have anxiety if they feel very worried or scared most of the time. For people with cancer, these feelings can be linked to fear — of pain, going to the doctor, the effect of cancer on loved ones, or dying. Symptoms linked to anxiety include worrying all the time, having difficulty concentrating, feeling tense or restless, or acting irritable or angry.
Treatment can help people improve their mental health while dealing with cancer. A study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that over half of women who had ovarian cancer and anxiety or depression did not seek help. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, reach out to your healthcare provider right away. They can provide support and help you navigate your treatment options.
Living with ovarian cancer can be challenging enough on its own, and having other health conditions can feel more overwhelming. Comorbidities may affect how your body responds to treatment or how well you recover. That doesn’t mean a poor outcome is inevitable, but it does mean your care may need a more tailored approach.
If you’re managing other health issues, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your oncologist and other members of your care team. They can coordinate your treatments to ensure that each condition is being managed safely and effectively. Sometimes, even small adjustments — like changing a medication or adjusting your treatment schedule — can make a big difference in how you feel day to day.
By addressing comorbidities alongside your cancer treatment, you give yourself the best chance for both improved outcomes and a better quality of life. Living well with ovarian cancer is about more than treating the disease — it’s about caring for your whole self.
On MyOvarianCancerTeam, people share their experiences with ovarian cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Are you diagnosed with a condition in addition to ovarian cancer? Let others know in the comments below.
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