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Original poster

Ovarian cancer panic

52 replies

etonmess91 · 04/08/2023 22:30

Hi, just looking for advice.

I have some concerning symptoms including no period for 5 months now.

I've been waiting 2 months already for a scan and I chased the GO today when they told me the below.

The GP said if I was over 60 then they'd put my ultrasound through as a 2 week wait but due to me being only 27, they said they're booking it as a routine scan which is a 16 week wait.

How is this fair? Cancer doesn't discriminate and it can happen to anyone at any time.

OP posts:
ImATrain · 05/08/2023 18:52

Private scan is reasonable. If you don’t get any answers from the scan have a google of cushings and see if that fits. There might be other hormone causes that can cause lack of periods, even early menopause.

LegendsBeyond · 05/08/2023 18:52

I’d definitely go private. Will be worth every penny.

Naughty1205 · 05/08/2023 19:06

This is why credit cards exist indeed! Ov Ca not outside the realms of possibility in a younger woman. Is there a family history? A family member on Dh's side only went about pain in ovarian area, diagnosed with Ovarian cancer and she was 50. You are so right getting a private scan. Wishing you the best of luck OP Flowers

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GulfCoastBeachGirl · 05/08/2023 19:10

Excellent choice, OP. Money well spent. Hope everything goes well and that you get some answers. Take care.

Sameold23 · 05/08/2023 19:18

Good luck.

Original poster
etonmess91 · 05/08/2023 19:22

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Booked for Friday. Fingers crossed all goes well.

Immediate family history of cancers are breast, lung and bowel.

OP posts:
GulfCoastBeachGirl · 05/08/2023 19:28

family history of cancers are breast, lung and bowel

Ovarian cancer can have genetic links to both bowel and breast cancers. I am NOT by any means saying that you're likely to have OC (the odds are in your favor), but your concerns should be taken seriously.

You are being very smart to be proactive and advocating for yourself!

Otterock · 05/08/2023 19:36

Just wanted to chime in and say it’s possible to have polycystic ovaries without PCOS. I’ve had multiple cysts come and go on my ovaries but my hormone levels are normal and I don’t have the hair growth. Good luck

ricepolo · 05/08/2023 19:45

Well done; worth every penny.

I had ovarian cancer at 29. Fobbed off by two GP’s. Told I’d “tweaked” something hence my pain (my belly also hadn’t gone down despite my losing all my baby weight (baby was 9m old at diagnosis)). Finally a GP referred me: I sent her flowers after my all-clear a year later. That baby just turned 13 and I had three more after my treatment :)

hattie43 · 05/08/2023 19:50

A great choice to go private , you can't be expected to have this level of worry for the time taken to wait for the NHS. Personally I've decided if I need anything scans I'll go private . I feel desperate for those who can't afford it . Nothing gives someone panic and concern than unexplained symptoms and if it is a cancer the sooner you get to it the better .

Original poster
etonmess91 · 07/08/2023 13:23

Hi all,

I had a call from my GP to invite me for an appointment today. Thankfully I saw a woman who understood my concerns more than the men did.

She will personally call the hospital to rush my ultrasound through so I have cancelled my Friday private appointment. Her opinion is that it could be PCO or a cyst.

I'll update when I have more info.

OP posts:
Original poster
etonmess91 · 15/08/2023 10:43

Jus rethought I'd update you, I had my scan today. I have PCOS according to the ultrasound tech. They'll forward the results to my GP to discuss further.

OP posts:
Daughterswaterworks · 15/08/2023 13:28

Op every time I've been booked for a scan and hears nothing I've asked for the no of where they booked me. Called up the booking people and been offered an appt the following week.

I said "what would have happened if i hadn't called"

"you would still be waiting"...

Some try calling up directly.

Daughterswaterworks · 15/08/2023 13:28

Oh bless... Good update. I have pcos it's not too troubling so don't worry.

Original poster
etonmess91 · 15/08/2023 13:30

@Daughterswaterworks I called after 4 weeks, told it was an 8 week wait. I called after 8 weeks, told it was now up to 16 weeks. I had enough waiting and did go private in the end, despite my mum saying not to.

I am glad I did, thank you for letting me know about your PCOS too Daffodil

OP posts:
jeanne16 · 15/08/2023 13:34

Did you ask what your ca125 marker is? It is considered a good marker for ovarian cancer. Normal is below 35. If it is in the hundreds, they would be concerned.

Original poster
etonmess91 · 15/08/2023 13:34

@jeanne16 no but I will ask when I'm in once they've seen the scan results.

OP posts:
DaisyDreaming · 15/08/2023 13:45

Ignore your mum and don’t wait another 2 months. Keep doing all you can to get a scan, whether that’s going back to the GP with a print out of the red flag symptoms, ringing the department you have the appointment in and asking if they have a cancellations list, going to A&E (prepare yourself for a long wait) or going for a private scan. There’s a good chance it’s not cancer but sitting around for another 2 months isn’t an option when you have multiple red flags.

Original poster
etonmess91 · 15/08/2023 13:46

@DaisyDreaming I've had my private scan today and they've confirmed it's PCOS and will be sending my results to the GP to start a treatment plan. I'm very relieved it's not cancer! I totally agree the wait time was excessive.

OP posts:
floribunda18 · 15/08/2023 13:50

I'm sorry you had to go private, OP, but at least you know.

When I was 39 I went to the GP with ovarian cancer symptoms and was scanned and operated on within 6 weeks- I was diagnosed with endometriosis and had an endometrial cyst, which was removed.

Original poster
etonmess91 · 15/08/2023 13:52

@floribunda18 that's an incredible turnaround. I don't know what's happening with the NHS at the moment, I've always been a huge advocate for it and thankful but it's just not working right anymore.

OP posts:
GulfCoastBeachGirl · 15/08/2023 14:48

Glad to hear that the scan went well. You must be so relieved!

Daughterswaterworks · 15/08/2023 15:49

@etonmess91 out of interest who did you call the actual booking line for the scan, the department for the condition of area or the doc

Original poster
etonmess91 · 15/08/2023 15:52

@Daughterswaterworks I called the hospital switchboard and asked to be put through to ultrasound and asked to check on my referral

OP posts:
Daughterswaterworks · 15/08/2023 15:56

Thank a for clarifying.

I've always spoken to the actual booking side of the hospital and like I said I've been waiting and waiting and them offered something really soon.

Always worth trying.

What a relief for you however and very good news.

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