Telephone counseling and referral service launched for ovarian cancer affected women

Sep 1 2009

Women with ovarian cancer can now find immediate assistance to better cope with their diagnosis by calling 877-OV-HOPE-1 (877-684-6731), a new, free telephone counseling and referral service launched today by a unique partnership: L'Oreal Paris and its charitable partner, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), and CancerCare, a national non-profit which provides free counseling and education services to individuals and families affected by cancer.

"Any cancer diagnosis is a frightening and stressful experience that can be difficult to cope with," noted Rosalie Canosa, director of program services for CancerCare. "When the diagnosis is ovarian cancer, too many women have no place to turn for help with the emotional and practical impact of their situation."

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among U.S. women. This year, approximately 22,000 women will be diagnosed, and nearly 15,000 will lose their lives to the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute. While five-year survival rates exceed 90 percent in early-stage diagnoses, there is no effective early-stage test for the disease, which often is not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage, when it is far more difficult to treat successfully.

"Now, with the L'Oreal Paris OCRF Hope Line, women facing ovarian cancer can have their questions answered and find the resources they require to ensure they receive the best care possible," said Canosa.

"We at L'Oreal Paris are deeply committed to providing tangible hope for women battling ovarian cancer," said Karen T. Fondu, president of the L'Oreal Paris Division of L'Oreal USA, Inc. "With the L'Oreal Paris OCRF Hope Line, we hope to continue to work to improve the five-year survival rate for women and provide support along the way."

"OCRF and our dedicated corporate partner, L'Oreal Paris, have been working together for over 12 years to empower women, and to give them hope when they face a diagnosis of ovarian cancer," said Elizabeth Howard, CEO of OCRF. "By joining forces with CancerCare and creating the call center, we are all better able to help women across the United States."

L'Oreal Paris and OCRF generously funded the Hope Line, which is staffed by CancerCare's professional oncology social workers. The Hope Line operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.