Ovarian and Reproductive Cancer Recovery Program

If you are experiencing treatment for or recovery from a form of gynecological cancer, you may long to improve your physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. The Ovarian and Reproductive Cancer Recovery Program at CPMC’s Women’s Health Resource Center assists women undergoing treatment for uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal, vulvar and peritoneal cancer. The program offers education and support services that are tailored to your needs.

A team of women’s health and cancer specialists provides information and support throughout your treatment, recovery and survivorship. This includes nurse practitioners, physicians, social workers, nutritionists, psychological counselors, an acupuncturist, massage therapists, hair-loss consultant, yoga/meditation instructors, a cosmetologist and lymphedema educators.

Individualized Care

Your care begins with a free informational consultation with our program director, Barb Silver, NP, who helps you prepare for surgery and treatment by providing education, emotional support, resources, and referrals. Barb is then accessible to answer any questions and concerns that may arise during your treatment, recovery and survivorship.

Program elements include:

Surgery preparation.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy symptom management education.
Surgical or medical menopause symptom management education.
Information and support on body image and sexuality.
Immediate access to hairpieces, turbans, scarves, and hats through our boutique.
Individual, partner and family emotional support.
Referrals to cancer support groups.
Massage therapy, gentle yoga, meditation and acupuncture.
Social services and patient advocacy.
Hello Gorgeous! A Hair Loss and Makeup Workshop for women with cancer.
Nutritional counseling.
Lymphedema education.

See videos below for more information.

How to Participate

You may join the Ovarian and Reproductive Cancer Recovery Program at any time during your treatment or recovery from gynecologic cancer. You are not required to be a patient at CPMC.

All consultations with Barb Silver, our nurse practitioner, are free. People enrolled in the program are eligible to receive supportive care services, such as massage, acupuncture, psychotherapy, and other resources. During your initial consultation your individual need for supportive care services will be assessed.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, please email Barb Silver, RNC, MS, FNP, silverb@sutterhealth.org or call (415) 600-0502.

Fiercely passionate about women’s health care, Barb Silver, RNC, MS, FNP founded the Women’s Health Resource Center (WHRC) at CPMC in 1995. The WHRC, under her leadership and vision, offers a variety of supportive care services and programs to thousands of women, well and medically challenged, and their families, each year in the Bay Area.

As a Family and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 42 years of nursing experience, Barb developed the Ovarian and Reproductive Cancer Recovery Program due to the lack of services and support she observed as a dear friend struggled with ovarian cancer in San Francisco during the 1990s. She is most proud of this unique, comprehensive and multi-disciplinary program that includes education, support and complimentary modalities. For her 25 years of outstanding work with gyn cancer patients and their families during their diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, Barb received the Friend’s Circle Award from UCSF’s Gynecologic Oncology Department in 2020.

Barb has published research on the effect of supportive care services on quality of life for women with gynecological cancer, and continues to participate in many hospital-based women’s health and cancer care programs. Barb is board certified both as a Family Health Nurse Practitioner as well as a Menopause Clinician.

During her travels to more than 28 countries Barb is often reminded of the resilience and power of women, and their unique stories of heartache and joy. She is a tireless advocate for women to be seen, and have their voices heard. In addition, she is equally as passionate for the advocacy and care for animals.

Transforming Women’s Care in San Francisco

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