Educational Materials

The Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) is proud to present a comprehensive set of free educational courses designed to support patients and caregivers that answers the question, “What do I need to know?” for a cancer journey. From the basics of “what is cancer?” to understanding treatments, clinical trials and how genetics play a role, to lifestyle discussions on sexual health and nutrition, these courses meet you where you are to answer the questions you might have. Available in a variety of self-study and live webinar formats, these courses are available for you when you need them. Additional downloadable resources are a part of each course.

Serving as medical advisors for these courses were Lisa Barroilhet, MD, Dolores A. Buchler, MD, Faculty Fellow in Gynecologic Oncology and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and Rebecca Arend, MD, MSPH, Assistant Professor and an Associate Scientist at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Experimental Therapeutics Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

FWC Cancer Education Courses

Compassionate Caregivers: Navigating Cancer's Challenges

This series aims to help caregivers support loved ones by becoming active participants in the care team, confidently discussing stigmatized elements of gynecologic cancer, gaining skills to balance time and prioritize their own mental health, and more. Below you will find links to the six modules in the series.

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Understanding the Basics: What is Cancer?

A cancer diagnosis comes with a whole new set of vocabulary terms and a need to understand what can be a complicated disease. This self-study course helps set the record straight on what cancer is (and what it is not). It will help you understand key terms to better communicate with your care team as well as help you understand how cancer behaves.

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Uniquely You: Making Sense of Treatment Options (Part 1)

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Uniquely You: Making Sense of Treatment Options (Part 2)

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Uniquely You: Embracing Sex and Intimacy After Cancer

Sex after cancer can be complicated—and talking about it with your doctor even harder, but there are tips, tools and techniques to help. In this one-hour webinar we’ll talk openly and frankly about challenges and solutions through creativity, playfulness, patience, pleasure and connectedness. Join us for this hour of honesty and a little bit of humor!

The live webinar was held Feb. 10, 2021.

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Uniquely You: Eating Well. Living Well.

Cancer treatment is more than just radiation and chemo, it’s looking at well-being holistically and that means nutrition and movement. In this one-hour webinar, we’ll talk about the power of movement as well as eating for wellness, and some of the current science around that. Join us as we look at supplements and vitamins, exercise, dietary approaches and complimentary alternatives—and even provide recipes to get you started!

This webinar was held Thursday, March 4, 2021.

Nutrition Guide: 5 Facts and Tips for Making Healthy Choices

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Your Unique Story: Addressing Financial Challenges While Living as a Gynecologic Cancer Survivor

In this one-hour webinar, our expert panel will walk through strategies to cope with financial difficulties experienced by gynecologic cancer survivors. In the first section, we will discuss three main types of financial burden including direct and indirect costs of cancer care. In the next section, we will answer questions collected from our social media pages in preparation for today’s webinar. In the final section, we will respond to chat questions provided throughout the webinar. Please join us for this informative and timely discussion to support you on your financial journey while living with gynecologic cancer.

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Your Unique Story: Living with the New

In this self-study “Your Unique Story: Living with the New”, we discuss physical changes that can occur during a cancer journey. “Living with the New” is a way to describe your life after diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. Five different topics are discussed including fatigue, neuropathy, lymphedema, radiation proctitis, and chemo brain.

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Your Unique Story: All About Wellbeing – Balancing Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

In this one-hour webinar, we will explore strategies to enhance your wellbeing throughout your journey as a gynecologic cancer (or gyn cancer) survivor. We often recognize the physical difficulties that come along with battling cancer and with cancer treatment. Your healthcare team will offer medications that can minimize side effects that commonly occur with chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. But what about the unpleasant stresses that weaken your mental health and wellbeing? What are some ways you can overcome the anxiety and worry you may face as a survivor? We will present easy-to-use techniques you can add to your daily routine to build your mental resilience and adapt to this life-changing experience.

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Your Unique Story: What Do Survivors Experience During Surveillance?

In this self-study session, entitled, “Your Unique Story: What Do Survivors Experience During Surveillance?”, we will discuss surveillance after gynecologic cancer treatment, building an understanding of the possible paths one can take during surveillance that may help you navigate your personal journey.

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Your Unique Story: Demystifying Palliative Care

In this one-hour webinar, we will discuss and define palliative care, why it’s important to start early in treatment journeys, and its distinctions from hospice. We’ll take some time to demystify what palliative care is and talk about how it works for patients with gynecologic cancer. We’ll hear from patients, caregivers, and medical providers on the full scope of the benefits and meaning of palliative care.

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KNOW THE FACTS

Every 5 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with 1 of the 5 gyn cancers – cervical, ovarian, uterine/endometrial, vaginal, or vulvar – totaling more than 109,000 Americans each year.

Many of these people are not diagnosed until the late stages of their disease resulting in more 33,000 people dying each year from a gyn cancer. These cancers affect people of all ages, from their teens through their 80s.

The Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) urges everyone to LEARN, LISTEN and ACT to maintain their gyn health.

LEARN the symptoms and risk factors for each gyn cancer;
LISTEN to their bodies;
ACT to take preventative steps and seek care first from a gynecologic oncologist when a gyn cancer is suspected or diagnosed.

Learn More

When asked, 9 in 10 gyn oncologists said that patient education is very important to help improve patient outcomes and nearly 8 in 10 said the biggest barrier to early detection of gyn cancers is lack of awareness.

These materials are available to download for free below and printed copies can be ordered for a nominal fee to share and help #MoveTheMessage about the 5 gyn cancers and reinforce the importance of early detection.