What happens after the treatments end? Many individuals living with ovarian cancer are left navigating fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and lasting physical limitations, all while feeling pressure to “bounce back” to their previous roles. Explore the complex reality women face following treatment, whether returning to work, shifting careers, or stepping away entirely. We’ll discuss how to find the right resources, identify critical gaps in the system, and the importance of self-advocacy when support structures fall short. Led by Christine (insert last name), a McGill-based nurse scientist and national leader in cancer survivorship, and XXX's personal lived experience, this session offers evidence-based guidance and honest conversation about how to reclaim purpose, productivity and well-being - on your own terms.
This session was part of Ovarian Cancer Canada's 2025 National Symposium.
Speaker Bios:
Holly Williams is a stage 2 high grade serous ovarian cancer survivor and thriver. After surgery and 6 rounds of chemotherapy, she is currently NED and has completely changed her nutrition, exercise and stress levels. She is back to work part-time in an administrative position at the local hospital and continues to advocate for better diagnostic tools and physician education to improve survival rates. In her spare time, she enjoys walks with her dogs, gardening and baking, and is currently authoring a cookbook.
Maureen Parkinson is the co-lead and content lead for www.cancerandwork.ca. She has worked for 30 years at the BC Cancer as the provincial vocational rehabilitation counsellor where she helped individuals with returning, remaining and finding work after cancer. As well she is an instructor for the Cancer and Worker Support for Pacific Coast University. She created the Cancer and Returning to Work: A Practical Guide for Cancer Patients and developed and taught return to work and job search seminars for cancer survivors. Previously, she has worked as a rehabilitation hospital vocational rehabilitation counsellor, a vocational rehabilitation consultant for a private consulting agency; and as an instructor/facilitator teaching job search and career exploration for Service Canada funded programs. She has a Masters in Counselling Psychology, is a Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counsellor and completed the Certified Return to Work Coordinator Program through the National Institute for Disability Management and Research.