Every six weeks, MOCA conducts training sessions with third and fourth year medical students at the University of Minnesota starting their six-week ob/gyn rotation. Ovarian cancer survivors present their stories to the students and then open the floor to questions.

Objectives of the Survivors Training Medical Students program are:

• To increase awareness of ovarian cancer within the medical community
• To highlight symptoms of the disease
• To discuss the importance of early detection
• To review information about risk factors
• To communicate the human side of ovarian cancer and its effect on survivors and their families.

Evaluation comments from medical students:

• I learned more about ovarian cancer today than in my first 2.5 years of medical school!
• It will make me think about how I talk and listen to my patient’s story.
• It has raised my awareness and hopefully, my clinical suspicion of ovarian cancer.
• Ovarian cancer is not to be ignored. I’ll always remember to keep it in the diagnosis list.
• I am much more aware of the circumstances and conclusion that can cloud diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
• It is not uncommon to see patients with the symptoms of ovarian cancer because some of the symptoms are somewhat non-specific. I hope that in the future if someone comes in with these symptoms, ovarian cancer will be on the differential.
• It has put a face to the disease and how important it is to individual people.
• Consider ovarian cancer in younger patients.
• It has made me more aware of the vague presentation of symptoms. It has given me the perspective of patients with ovarian cancer, which provides a better understanding of the entire process.
• You are amazingly strong women!
• I am now more aware of how patients are unfamiliar with the disease. I am more able to imagine the disease from a patient perspective.
• It was great to hear the individual stories – especially from younger survivors who you don’t normally think of as having or getting ovarian cancer.
• Essential to bringing us back to patient experience and opinion. Interesting, intensive and proactive.
• I hope I never miss a diagnosis like ovarian cancer, and I hope there are standards of care in place to help me avoid such a mistake.
• I loved the program – the stories and advice was awesome. Thank you!
• I think having people like you come and be part of our education is one of the most important aspects.
• I want to thank these incredible women for sharing their stories and victories over this terrible disease.
• You are an inspiration and a big encouragement to med students!

If you would like to be trained to be a volunteer speaker for one or both of these medical education programs, please contact Kathy McGovern at kmcgovern@mnovarian.org or call MOCA at 612/822-0500.