COULD IT BE OVARIAN CANCER?? (Post menopausal)

[rainbowkids]

So my story (bear with me please) - I've had a lot of problems since young having ovarian cysts (usually treated with medication, use to (painful) bleed all the time so had an endometrial ablation in 2009 (which stopped my periods completely), pain never got better then few years later found out I have endometriosis, then I started menopause symptoms about 3 years ago and was told at 38 years old I'd started menopause. I've tried HRT twice but it's not for me I've chosen to not have any medication. I also for years have suffered with IBS (some days I could be constipated or Diarrhoea). For past 5 weeks I have had constant backache, ovary pain (sometimes running down top of right thigh), constipated, IBS symptoms horrendous with bloating and uncomfortable, feeling tired, not sleeping waking for wee every 2 hours (checked and don't have UTI) and nausea sometimes for no reason.
Went to doc explained all my symptoms and said I think I have cysts again because that's how it feels. She kept saying it's the IBS and i need to up the laxative. She also said there's no chance I could have a cyst being post menopausal. After insisting that I've suffered from cysts in the past, she reluctantly had a feel of my belly.
She said she'll send me for a scan then (clearly she had had enough of me explaining how I feel).
Update: been for transvaginal ultrasound today and a 4cm cyst was found on right ovary.
I knew this would be the case because I know my body.
I have made an appointment to see GP next week (was told to do so by radiologist)
I'm worried that it might be cancerous.
Ps. I was diagnosed with skin cancer (BASAL CELL CARCINOMA) last year. Had surgery to remove it and am now clear. The year before I had abnormal cells found from smear and then found to have CIN 3 cells, I had Lletz treatment.
Feeling overwhelmed right now 😔😔

[jalopy]

Sorry to hear about your worries.

If it's any comfort, my mother had surgery last year for two massive cysts on her ovaries. One was the size of a grapefruit.

The downside was that she had to undergo surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes. This was done as a precaution as she had had previous bowel cancer.The upside was that her cysts were benign and she is well over 80 yrs old!

She is doing well and has not required any further treatment.

HTH

[rainbowkids]

Thank you for your reply HTH. My mum had colon cancer and had to have surgery to fit a stoma.
It's the waiting that's doing my head in. Need to know what's what so I can face it and deal with it.

[PollyPerky]

stop panicking! it's highly unlikely to be cancer. You are not in the right age range.
What is more likely is that you have a cyst left over after incomplete ovulation during peri menopause - or your blood test for menopause was not accurate. A 4cm cyst is also tiny - mine was that- and the rule is not to investigate under 5cms, except to scan.

You also need to seriously re think HRT. Your GP or specialist should explain your risks of heart disease and osteoporosis are raised by having a premature menopause. You are advised to use HRT up to 50 at least. HRT also protects against bowel cancer so bearing in mind your family history it's another reason to try to find one that suits you. The weeing etc is likely to be directly linked to low estrogen and you might find vaginal estrogen cream helps this. A lot of your niggles sound as if they are typical meno that could be helped with HRT.

[RosarioDelee]

My mother also had the same issues. She also had a cyst in her right over due to which she faced a lot of problems. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the time of her menopause. She went through radiation therapy at Advanced Radiation Center to cure her cancer. to know more about it visit: www.advancedradiationcenters.com/cancers/gynecological-cancer/"

[PollyPerky]

Rosario I'm sorry about your mum but I don't think it's helpful to post as you have, because the OP is very anxious, it's not likely to be cancer at her age, and the link is to a US site and radiation therapy is not the main course of treatment. . There is very good treatment and charities in the UK for OC including Ovacome.

OP many women have cysts. Most are benign. I had a 4cm cyst for 2 years when I was early 50s. You would not be referred to your GP in the way you have been if it was cancer; you'd be fast tracked to a gynae in hospital for further tests.

[Secretspillernamechange]

OP my mum had benign ovarian cysts post-menopause, it's not that unusual. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time .

[rainbowkids]

PollyPerky thank you for your input. But I do find you quite harsh. Unfortunately you cannot say for sure that I don't have OC. I'm not asking for someone on here to diagnose me, I'm only looking for some support. I appreciate your experience and understand that it could be something or nothing. With reason I am worried as I have recently had cancer. And only once you've been through it, can you understand how it feels.
Thank you ladies for your support.

[PollyPerky]

Hi Rainbow. Of course I can't say for certain- I didn't say that! What I was trying to do was show how you are thinking the worst for something that is most probably not cancer. I'm sorry if it sounded harsh but I've been in your shoes myself with a cyst that was scanned for 2 years- for post meno women with a small cyst they RCOG advises this and it's called watchful waiting. So I've got the Tshirt of being worried.
I know you have had skin cancer but there isn't any link between basal skin cancer and ovarian cancer, or cervical cancer. If the radiologist had seen something that looked sinister I am sure you'd have been referred to a consultant there and then, not back to your GP, which would delay things. I hope you get the results soon and it's all okay.

[rainbowkids]

Thank you

[Stilitzvert]

Have you had a CA125 test? This would usually be done in conjunction with an ultrasound. It's highly likely that if the radiologist was concerned they would have referred you to a specialist however, I utterly understand your worry. The chances are that it's not OC, but what's important is that it's ruled out to put your mind at rest or dealt with as quickly as possible. Hope you get positive news, must be very hard for you at the moment.

[SoftlyCatchyMonkey1]

Hi OP, the fact that the radiologist said to make an appt next week and not the day after your scan highly suggests that nothing sinister was found. I am a sonographer and if I found cancer I most definitely would not say to the patient to see their gp next week - I would fast track the report to avoid delay and tell the patient to contact the GP the next day. Ovarian cysts are common, and can even be found in the post menopausal lady. With the information you've given, the chance of having ovarian cancer right now seems highly improbable. Our minds can play tricks with us however to make us think of the worst case scenario so totally get why you're worried, particularly since you've had a BCC and CIN3

[Crumbs1]

No link between basal cell, cervical anomalies and ovarian cancer. You are wrong age range for ovarian. Unlikely but any abnormalities are worrying.

[rainbowkids]

Thank you everyone. Not feeling so worried anymore. But I still need to get this pain sorted. It's effecting me so much and doesn't help my mood at all.
I know there isn't a link with BCC. But what it has done is made me worry more than I would of if I didn't have BCC, especially it been so recent.
I'm obviously guilty of overthinking my situation which has lead me to crazy diagnosis. Soon this will all be sorted.
Thank you again for everyone's reply.

[BackforGood]

I have had cancer, and I know what you mean about then becoming much more worried about symptoms of things than you were pre-diagnosis.

However, that doesn't change the fact that folks are right. I had cysts last year. I was told they don't worry if they are less than 6cm (mine was 5.9 ). If they were concerned about cancer, then they would be investigating that, and not sending you back to your GP.

[Footle]

Reported Rosario's post.

[RosarioDelee]

Yes, I agree that there are other treatments also. Moreover, I just wanted that if somebody else facing such issues as my mother can learn more through the link whether their symptoms are same or not. You can also go through other therapies and treatments to cure the cancer.