Introduction: Ovarian cancer mainly affects women over the age of 50, and can also affect younger women. The disease often goes unnoticed until it spreads to the pelvis and abdomen. Treatment depends on how far the cancer has spread and the woman's general health. The main treatments are surgery to remove as much cancer tissue as possible and chemotherapy, usually after surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells, but it is occasionally used before surgery to reduce the cancer. Survival of women with ovarian cancer is improving, but more than half of women still die within five years of diagnosis. Some side effects of treatment may persist long after treatment and affect quality of life. Purpose: The purpose of this diploma work is to present the impact of the disease on women's quality of life after ovarian cancer treatment, to explore how women assess quality of life after treatment, to identify women's needs, and to study the role of nurses in providing supportive care. Methods: In the diploma work, a descriptive method of research work with literature review was used. We used the portal of the Digital Library of the University of Ljubljana (DiKUL) to search for literature. We searched CINAHL, MedLine, and ScienceDirect databases. The search for peer-reviewed literature published in English took place from January to March 2020. Results: Women with ovarian cancer have more extensive surgery due to late-detected, advanced disease, so they may have a poorer quality of life. After chemotherapy, groups of treatment-related symptoms develop. Late or ineffective relief of symptoms lowers health-related quality of life. The disease often recurs. Fear of recurrence of disease and death is present in women of all ages. Nursing counseling reduces the symptoms of distress. Women with ovarian cancer have certain needs that need to be met to reduce their impact on life. The age of women has a significant impact on needs and concerns, and should be considered when designing an individual post-treatment care plan. Discussion and conclusion: The treatment of ovarian cancer leaves consequences on the physical, psychological and social areas of action. All this affects the quality of life. Women with ovarian cancer feel a greater burden of symptoms after treatment than other patients who have been treated for cancer. It is important for the nurse to understand the needs of women and their caregivers. Support systems play a crucial role in women’s experience of the disease after diagnosis, during treatment, and after treatment. A nurse can help women find their own strength to deal with fear or support survivors to consider other sources of support.
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