Possibly cancer but GP won't listen

[morethanyouagain]

I have seen 2 male GPs

One was quite rude to me today

History: Dad had bowel cancer age 33. He has Lynch syndrome. Mum's identical twin had ovarian cancer age 49. Uncle had stomach cancer and bowel cancer age 40.

I am 26. For the last 8 weeks or so, I have had bloating that doesn't go down and seems to be getting worse. I had my neighbour politely ask if I was expecting yesterday. Which pushed me to speak to the GP again

I've had pelvic pain for a few weeks alongside the bloating. However, not really weeing more or losing weight etc

GP said because I am not weeing more or losing weight, that's a good sign. And he prescribed me Omoprazole. I said I don't think it's gastric. He said why not? I said because the bloating is getting worse and there's pelvic pain

He said to come back in 2 weeks if things haven't got better with Omoprazole

Should I just book another appointment and ask for a scan? I requested a CA125 blood test but the GP said I don't meet the criteria. Yet, when I look it up, it says I do

He replied to this 'Don't trust Google'

I just feel a bit worried - Not so much that it's 'omg cancer'. But because if it is that, I am going to have to go around the houses before anyone listens

Yes, more likely cysts or something equally benign. But it's a concern.

I have a DC to care for. I can't play games with my life like this

Picture is of my swollen stomach laying down

GP said he can't see anything. Sorry, but even in this badly lit photograph I can see?

I’ve been similarly fobbed off. Had an ovarian cyst that went away and got told that all of my symptoms were down to this despite continuing pain, bloating etc.
I ended up paying for a private consultation with a gynaecologist who referred me into his NHS clinic. I’ve had an MRI (in January) but have to wait until October(!) for the 20 minute appointment to discuss a laparoscopy.
It was £300 to see the private consultant. If you can afford it book one. Women’s health problems are fobbed off far too easily.

Yes I’d ask for another appointment, with someone else. Guessing you might need to go through the practice manager. I’m wondering if he’s ignoring you because of your age even though NICE guidelines only say ‘especially if over 50’. I’d be specific with the practice manager about your request and the guidelines (so annoying when looking at NICE guidelines is fobbed off as googling) - then by turning you down there’s a paper trail of your concerns.

100% push for tests and go private for initial scan if you can afford to. Absolutely. Not worth the risk, you know your family history so do everything you can to get the tests necessary.

You have new stretch marks- has pregnancy been ruled out?

As a PP has said, I think it's worth writing to the practice citing whatever guidance you have found and why you think you fit the criteria for further tests, and putting on record your family history of cancer. Explain that in the light of this, you wish to seek a second opinion. Basically, create a "paper trail" alongside your request for a second opinion.

So sorry for your experiences. I found most GP visits end up with soul crushing since the pandemic. NHS needs more funds & better staffing.

Does the swelling feel similar to pregnancy? I have OC, and my abdominal bloat very much like pregnancy, liquid, not gas. Please go back and insist you see someone else and get the tests. I was thankfully believed first time aged 36, but many younger women aren't.

They look long healed to me, but even then I had to brighten my screen and zoom in. But stretch marks aren’t limited to pregnancy. Any rapid skin stretching which severe bloating could actually do.

OP@morethanyouagain When your dad had cancer was he told that his children would be offered genetic testing (also ,is it your paternal uncle who had the 2 cancers)? What did your gp say about inherited risk …as from my understanding you should be offered testing with a parent who has lynch syndrome? It’s definitely worth ringing the macmillan helpline to discuss next steps as your gp may not be understanding of your potential increased risk.

Any period issues? I get massive bloating and have stage 4 endometriosis

Definitely go back and ask them to write in the notes that you have requested Ca125 and an ultrasound. I believe that’s the standard tests to exclude ovarian csncer
I have ovarian cancer. The GP thought I was stressed and only did the tests to appease me.
Ca125 was over 1000, Ultrasound scan was apparently normal. CT scan showed the cancer.
Ca125 is only raised in high grade ovarian cancer. it can be normal in low grade cancer

From what I’ve seen online - many women experience new oesophageal heartburn symptoms before getting a diagnosis of oc

Ovarian cancer is still diagnosed late because the symptoms are vague. It really angers me. Vague symptoms in a woman should be a red flag in the 21st century

If the symptoms don’t settle. Go back
I looked like I had a stuck on pregnancy abdomen at diagnosis, but because I’m size 10 it disappeared lying down - and the GP couldn’t understand my concern.

I hope this makes sense! It’s Friday- had wine!
Honestly - I want to educate as many women and Drs as I can about ovarian cancer. It’s sneaky and a killer

You can pay for a private scan and CA125 privately, although you shouldn't need to do this. Perhaps going in one more time specifically requesting above.

I don't see the harm in waiting the two weeks, given that you don't have any other cancer symptoms really. Presumably you'll get booked in for a scan then and you'll be able to see what's going on.

Keep pushing them. Don't give in, and don't let them fob you off. Mention your family history at every single appointment, and keep going on about it. Please.

My DM didn't. By the time she was eventually diagnosed, it was too late.

Many times I think GP themselves are part of the problem of the NHS. Everything gets much better once gone past GP. A good and attentive GP is very hard to find.

I was fobbed off by several different GPs. Eventually I got a referral for a scan which showed a 10cm x 6cm cyst on my left ovary. Two weeks later I had a complete hysterectomy and removal of the cancerous tumour.

Don’t give up pushing @morethanyouagain ,:you might even want to consider a private scan.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. There's a lot of posters I am sad for. I'm sorry.

Can someone advise me if this CA125 is legit? I would be grateful

https://allcheckedup.co.uk/product/ovarian-cancer-ca125-test-at-home/?gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3eX3wqeAhwMV35NQBh2Q1gF2EAAYASAAEgINzzDBwE

Or this one

https://medicinesonline.org.uk/product/ovarian-cancer-tumour-marker-blood-test-home-kit/?gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3eX3wqeAhwMV35NQBh2Q1gF2EAAYAiAAEgI-JJDBwE

Why not try the medication for 2 weeks then at least it rules out gastro issues and you can go back ? It seems gp is trying to rule out the most obvious things first. Your symptoms could be one of 100s of things.

Try not to think the worst but do advocate for yourself.

Absolutely I agree with this, once you're in the system I generally think care is really good, my experience of GPs recently have been really shocking and the latest ending up in emergency care on hospital.

OP really push for the scan if you can't afford a private scan .

I had similar symptoms, GP sent me for a scan but a non urgent one which took weeks. Turned out it was a very large ovarian cyst. Not serious but I still needed to have it removed. It could be nothing or not much, but you still need a proper investigation.

A lot of referrals, even for scans, are getting rejected at the moment unless they can be completely justified. The GP might be trying to rule out the gastro symptoms first so that if you go back in two weeks and there's no improvement, they can request the further testing with that explanation to help your test be accepted on her fastest pathway possible. Obviously if that's the case, it would be helpful if the GP explained that to you to help you feel heard and reassured! I would advise that you book a follow up for two weeks and at least try the medication so you can confidently rule out the gastro cause. If the Doctor doesn't then discuss a next stop with you that you feel addresses your concerns, that would be the point I would start looking at private options and writing to the practice manager.

The GP hasn’t ignored you. They have listened, prescribed medication and asked you to come back in 2 weeks. That’s how GPs work - ‘let’s look at the most likely reason for a patients symptoms, treat that, see if it goes away and if not, try something else’ They don’t go straight for the big guns - if they did the NHS would be bankrupt because every patient presenting with a cough would be sent straight for a CT scan, and every patient presenting with hip pain be given a hip replacement.
OP, you need to listen to the GP, take the meds, see what happens.

She is clearly high risk. The GP should have pursuit further investigation, whilst give her medicine, to avoid further detail. There is no excuse of that.

I agree, the problem is getting diagnosed in the first place.