Too many patients enter the healthcare system unprepared for the decisions they will be asked to make. In ovarian cancer, where symptoms can be subtle and diagnoses complex, the difference between delay and informed advocacy can directly affect outcomes. Emily Campbell, Executive Director of Not These Ovaries, has made it her mission to close that gap. Her focus is ensuring patients have the knowledge, confidence, and support required to pursue the care they deserve.
“Every ovarian cancer patient deserves the right care, no matter where they live, how rare their diagnosis is, or how complex their case may be,” Campbell says. Her work extends beyond access to treatment. She aims to equip people to participate actively in decisions rather than passively move through the system. For Campbell, empowerment begins long before diagnosis. It starts with awareness.
Closing the Awareness Gap Early
Ovarian cancer is often labeled a silent disease, but Campbell challenges that framing. “The truth is it whispers before it roars,” she explains. Persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, and urinary urgency are symptoms that can be easy to dismiss or attribute to less serious conditions. Education changes that equation. When individuals understand what is normal for their bodies and recognize when something is not, they are more likely to seek evaluation sooner “Empowerment starts with understanding that persistent symptoms deserve attention,” Campbell says. “It means knowing when to push for further evaluation, when to ask for imaging, and when to seek a specialist.” Earlier detection can widen treatment options, improve planning, and ultimately influence survival. In a disease where time matters, informed patients are positioned to act.
Turning Knowledge Into Confident Decision-Making
A cancer diagnosis forces major decisions into a compressed and emotional timeframe. Patients may be asked to consider surgery, chemotherapy, genetic testing, and clinical trials while still absorbing the shock of the news. “Knowledge transforms fear into focus,” Campbell says. Transparency plays a crucial role. Patients need to understand why a gynecologic oncologist can be essential, how genetic and biomarker testing may guide therapy, and why a second opinion can provide clarity. Campbell describes advocacy as collaboration rather than confrontation. “Advocacy is not about challenging your care team. It is about partnering with them,” she explains. When patients are informed, conversations become more constructive and care aligns more closely with individual priorities.
Bridging the Access Divide
Even well-informed patients encounter structural barriers. Geography, finances, and proximity to research centers still influence who receives specialized treatment. “Not every patient has equal access to specialized care, financial resources, or research institutions,” Campbell says. “That disparity directly impacts outcomes.” Addressing inequity requires more than awareness. It requires connection to reliable information, assistance programs, community networks, and advocacy groups that expand research and visibility. Campbell views support for patients and support for providers as interconnected. Increased funding, stronger research pipelines, and coordinated care networks improve the environment for everyone. “When patients have knowledge, community, and access, they have power,” she says.
Confidence, Equity, and a Stronger System
“Empowering ovarian cancer patients is not just about education,” Campbell explains. “It is about confidence. It is about equity. And it is about ensuring that no one feels alone or unheard during one of the most critical moments of their life.” Through awareness, access, and advocacy, she believes meaningful progress is achievable. Informed patients are not only better prepared to navigate their own care. They contribute to raising the standard of care for those who follow. In ovarian cancer, every patient deserves nothing less.
Connect with Emily Campbell on LinkedIn or visit Not These Ovaries for more insights
