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Guest post: Ovarian cancer – spotting the signs

37 replies

MumsnetGuestPosts · 06/03/2014 14:00

Carol Jackson from EastEnders has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and viewers across the country are on tenterhooks to see how she copes with the devastating news that she has inherited a faulty BRCA gene. How will she break the news to her daughters? What will it mean for their future?

Last year, Angelina Jolie bravely spoke out about her own discovery of her faulty BRCA heritage. She made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy even though she didn't have breast cancer, because the risk of her developing breast cancer later in life was so high. Her decision to tell the world her story has done a huge amount to raise awareness of the risks of this condition – but the stakes are even higher than breast cancer alone.

While in a recent study nearly 9 out of 10 women knew that having ovarian cancer in the family could increase their risk, only 1 in 4 knew there could also be a link with a family history of breast cancer. In fact, having a faulty BRCA1/2 gene can increase your risk of getting ovarian cancer over a lifetime from 1 in 54 to 1 in 2.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, and one UK woman dies from it every 2 hours. Although it can be hard to diagnose, there are early warning signs and symptoms. Ovarian Cancer Action is working to raise awareness of these. Persistent bloating, feeling full quickly or loss of appetite, persistent stomach or pelvic pain, and needing to urinate more often – all need checking out if they’re persistent, or if you get them frequently over any length of time, especially on more than 12 days a month.


Some women don’t seek help early because they put their symptoms down to other conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). But IBS rarely develops for the first time in anyone over 50, and it usually starts before you’re 40. New guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence means that if you have these symptoms, your GP should arrange a simple blood test called a Ca125. If this is high, you’ll be sent for a scan of your ovaries. Even if this is normal, you should still return to see your doctor if your symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Most women will get a reassuringly normal result, saving them sleepless nights. And even if the news is bad, an early diagnosis could literally save your life.

Ovarian Cancer Action is also working to raise awareness of the need to know your family history. If 2 or more women in your family have had breast and/or ovarian cancer, ask yourself: are they on the same side of the family, your mother’s or your father’s? Are they blood related? Were they under 50 when they were diagnosed?

If the answer to these 3 questions is ‘yes’, you’re eligible for screening for a faulty BRCA gene. Your GP can refer you, and you should usually get the results within 8 weeks. Of course there are consequences to being tested – a positive result means you will need to consider your options for screening and/or preventative surgery. Having a positive result means the rest of your family could be affected, too. That’s why you’ll be offered full counselling before the test, and lots of guidance if the test turns out to be positive. Scary though the prospect might be, surely the alternative is so much worse?

If you are worried that your family history may put you at risk of ovarian cancer, check out the Ovarian Cancer Action BRCA Risk Tool.

For more information please contact Ovarian Cancer Action on 020 7380 1730, or visit their website

OP posts:
MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 06/03/2014 16:50

Thanks for this. Having known a wonderful lady who sadly died of ovarian cancer - and might have lived had it been diagnosed faster - it's great to see awareness of the signs being promoted, which may hopefully help others.

SpringyReframed · 06/03/2014 16:53

Why arent we routinely blood tested for this if it is that simple? I am shocked. It sounds a lot simpler than breast cancer screening.

Ledkr · 06/03/2014 16:53

Hi. Sarah. I had breast cancer at 26 and later had a double mastectomy to prevent recurrence.
I have since found out I have brca2 and 9 weeks ago had my ovaries removed (I have finished with them at 46)
I was under the impression that the ca125 and scans were not particularly accurate so I do feel women need to be aware of the importance of self awareness and not just rely on screening.

WildThong · 06/03/2014 17:15

Totally agree about raising awareness of the symptoms. My dsis was being 'treated' by her GP for months for IBS. She died 12 weeks after being admitted to hospital when she couldn't stand the pain any longer. She didn't have a chance because of the delay.

smee · 06/03/2014 17:56

Yes, my GP said that the blood test alone isn't reliable, though the combination of the blood test, plus a scan is pretty conclusive.

HappyHippyChick · 06/03/2014 18:21

My mum had both the blood test and scan come out clear. However as her mum had died of OC in her 60s the consultant recommended she have her ovaries removed as a preventative measure. She did and when they were biopsied it was discovered that she did have cancer. She had to have a full hysterectomy and chemo but three years down the line she is doing great, and she might not still be with us if she'd just relied on the test/scan.

mulberrybag · 06/03/2014 18:45

hi, not sure how guest posts work so not sure if someone around responds or not. I had an abnormal smear a few weeks ago with servere dyskariosis (sp ?) followed up by a loop excision last week and was just wondering if anyone had any more info on the cervical cancer side of this. As opposed to having a blood test (which I didn't, nor a scan) will the biopsy that was sent off be tested for cervical cancer or is that not how it works ? Apologies for my total ignorance, still slightly in shock from last weeks treatment !

MoreBeta · 06/03/2014 19:27

Glad to see something sensible is being done about ovarian cancer by NICE here. It is so simple to diagnose with CA125 screening (albeit with false positives).

My wife was diagnosed 15 years ago with ovarian cancer. We had been trying to conceive for a couple of years and couldn't. They sent her for a laparoscopy to find out why and they saw hundreds of tiny cancerous plaques all over the interior of her abdomen and a large tumour on her right ovary and a smaller 'cyst' on her left. Her CA125 was very high.

She had surgery to remove her right ovary and was treated with chemo. She survived and we pleaded with the consultants not to take her remaining ovary. We went on to have two children naturally with her one remaining ovary and DW is now quite healthy. Although the consultants insisted on a full hysterectomy a few years ago.

She had been complaining of 'IBS' symptoms for several years before her eventual diagnosis with ovarian cancer and her GP thought it might be stress and gave her Prozac. A misdiagnosis that could have killed her had we not been trying to have children and discovered it by chance.

If the protocol described in the Guest post had been available then DW would have been screened and diagnosed much earlier. Interestingly, her maternal grandmother died of breast cancer and she has ovarian cancer in her family too.

Stockhausen · 06/03/2014 19:29

My mum died aged just 47, from ovarian cancer & I live in fear of it every day.

Thanks for the info, much more clear cut than elsewhere.

I really should ask for screening.

ImNotCute · 06/03/2014 19:36

Like happyhippychick above my mum also had ovarian cancer but got the all clear from ca125 and a scan. Unfortunately the outcome for my mum wasn't so positive, she died a few months ago aged 64.

It's important to be aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and also to keep going back if they don't resolve, even if you've been told previous tests were clear. Things could have been very different for my mum Sad

HappyHippyChick · 06/03/2014 20:16

Cute so sorry for your loss Sad

TheMildManneredMilitant · 06/03/2014 20:18

My mum had these symptoms and was passed around between numerous departments for a year before SHE asked if any of these tests had been for ovarian cancer. The answer was 'no', fast forward a few weeks and she has just been diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer and about to start her first round or chemo. Mistakes happen and there is no point now dwelling on 'what ifs' but I think there must still be a need for awareness raising within the NHS.

Biscuitsneeded · 06/03/2014 21:05

Mulberry, sorry to hear you have been having worrying times. I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure that cervical cancer is not a result of a faulty gene, but rather the result of exposure to the HPV virus. So you wouldn't need the scan or blood test unless you have family history of breast or ovarian cancer. If a biopsy was taken from your cervix then yes I guess they will test that. Hope you get reassuring news - I think it's quite common to get abnormal smears so you shouldn't conclude that it's likely to mean cancer - just that you have some changes that might in time lead to cancer if not treated. Hope I've got that right.

YouveCatToBeKittenMe · 06/03/2014 21:29

My Mum died of Ovarian Cancer over 20 years ago aged 53. Everytime I feel the slightest twinge down there I panic. I do have symptoms of IBS and am now even more terrified after reading all this here.
I do think I will talk to my GP about a hysterectomy as this is the only thing that would put my mind at rest.

ImNotCute · 06/03/2014 21:51

Thanks happyhippychick, I'm glad things turned out well for your mum, I'd hate anyone else to through what my mum went through. I know that if my sister or I ever have any symptoms we wouldn't hesitate in having our ovaries removed just to be sure.

muzy40 · 06/03/2014 22:31

my mum was told her persistant cough and lower back pain were nothing, she had a hysterectomy where the ovaries were left even though they had cycsts on them, less than 5 years later she went from size8 to size20 in a week, infact she looked more pregnant than me at the time. Upon visiting the docs nothing was done until she went for a routine visit to her private clinic, the doctir was shocked admitted her immediately operated within 24 hours removed a tumor the size if a football which was canerous - ovarian cancer. unfortunately being left meant the tumor had attached itself to liver, kidneys, abdomen, bladder stomach. nothing could be done! now i get checked CA125 every year. it is worth it but not all doctors know which tube to use for collection - its the BROWN One! mum died about 5 years after so do get checked if anything is a miss

Ledkr · 07/03/2014 07:10

Ladies please look further into the screening if you are high risk. I've been told over and over by experts that the ca125 and scan are NOT reliable.
Which is why I had mine removed and reading these sad stories makes me so glad that I did.
I would imagine the screening is adequate for those at normal risk but for those with a strong family history it may not be enough.

I'm not a doctor though but do urge you not to be fobbed off whiteout research.

I was initially sent away twice with my breast lump as I was too young. It turned out I had a pretty aggressive form of it and ended up having to go privately to get a diagnoses.

I have found time and again that being proactive and pushy is often the only way of getting proper treatment.

Ledkr · 07/03/2014 07:14

mulberry no they are not linked but it's a horrible worrying time.
I've had a couple of call backs and my sister is having a colposcopy on Thursday.
I'd say just make sure you chase up results and attend everything you have to and ask questions.
Take someone with you to appointments if possible.
I hope you are feeling less worried soon.

Cat57 · 07/03/2014 07:15

Hi. It's really sad to see people suffering with this, especially so young. I'm not a doctor but I know a bit about ca125 tests. Ca125 can be raised for reasons other than cancer, though usually only moderately raised. For example, endometriosis is known to cause slightly elevated ca125 levels. I agree that it's important to be aware of your symptoms and push for further tests if you're worried.

TheHoneyBadger · 07/03/2014 07:46

mulberry - hi i've been round the colposcopy, treatment, all clear, repeat cycle a few times.

they DO send the excised tissue off to the lab to check it and when you go back in 6months time for a follow up colposcopy to check you're then all clear they will tell you it was fine. if it wasn't you'd hear sooner.

i've also got a some anomalous cells in my breast, found by chance when i had a private breast reduction and the removed tissue was sent to the lab as per guildelines. it's LCIS and as with the blumming cervical stuff it's all a bit debated and unclear as to whether this leads to cancer (as in is an early form that will develop further) or whether it is actually ok and if they checked enough women they'd find lots of us had it without it turning to full blown cancer or what. mulberry i asked the consultant at the time whether the cervical and breast could be connected and he said no they're totally separate though he conceded that some people do seem to have more propensity for cancer/cancer like changes albeit a pretty unscientific observation.

i also had a lump so ended up going for a mammogram and ultrasound which looked ok and so all i have to do now is start annual screening ten years early at 40 rather than 50 due to increased risk (definitely/possibly/jury's still arguing).

i confided in my boss when i was having the breast cancer scare and he put me in touch with another lady at work whose mother, aunt and then another aunt all had breast cancer young and finally someone connected the dots and they all got tested. she elected for a full double mastectomy. she was a delight to talk to and it made a huge difference to talk to someone about it whilst i was going through it - it would be so helpful if there was a system whereby women were put in touch with other women who had been through it themselves.

i was totally unaware of the link to ovarian cancer though. i have a teeny bit of paranoia about my ovaries because no one has ever seen them lol. every pregnancy scan i had, every scan around the cervical treatment etc has been unable to see them due to lots of gas apparently and i'm going through a 'oh how strange i haven't had ibs problems for years and it's all kicked off again' phase. it's such a fine line between being vigilant and being a hypochondriac Confused

TheHoneyBadger · 07/03/2014 07:56

just a heads up - if anyone is going through a breast cancer scare or a diagnosis or treatment there is a fabulous support thread on mn with lovely ladies full of experience and knowledge. don't suffer alone or get too carried away with the stiff upper lip business.

Ledkr · 07/03/2014 09:00

Honey I'm estranged from my dad and his family so when I attended a funeral last year I was horrified to learn that I'd lost two aunts to breast cancer and a young cousin to ovarian. Another aunt had had it and was alive and a cousins as being tested.
I couldn't believe nobody had contacted me!
It's a truly awful and terrifying experience.

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KatherinaMinola · 07/03/2014 09:47

Great, informative post - thank you Thanks

ovaryandout · 07/03/2014 12:35

Yes to everything in the article above. At the age of 30, 7 years ago i found out I had breast cancer, then found out I had the BRCA2 gene as there is so much breast/ovarian cancer on my mothers side. Having been through the whole set of treatments Carol's story is almost identical to mine. My sister also has the gene but has not had Cancer.

We have both had prophylactic mastectomies, it is the best thing we could do reducing the risks from an 80% chance to lower than that of the general population. Do not worry about finding out you have this gene, finding it means you can take preventative measures. Breast/Ovarian is one of the few cancers that you can do this.

I also had a CA125 blood test and ultrasound every 3 months for 5 years to keep a watch on my ovaries until 18 months ago I had my ovaries removed as a second preventative measure (hence the blog name). I have to admit about being very concerned about this, but its the best thing I have ever done. I haven't gone grey yet and I don't feel 65! Yes I get the hot flushes but a small price to pay for piece of mind.

I'm concerned that Eastenders is adding too much 'end of your world' to the possibility of having a gene. Its not the greatest news in the world of course but action can be taken, so if testing is something you need then do it not knowing is far worse...

Ledkr · 07/03/2014 14:04

ovary where have you been all my life?
I've had nobody to "talk to" these last few weeks although the hysterectomy thread has been anazing.
Can I pm you?

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