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?

He hasn't dismissed you, he said come back in 2 weeks if no improvement. GPs see dozens of patients a week, they know that 95% of the time the most obvious cause is the diagnosis,

I can’t see the reason for refusing the CA125 test, though?

I also thought genetic counselling was available for Lynch syndrome people’s children. Do follow this up as well 💐

99% of GPs are dreadful people. Could you ask specifically to be referred to [insert specialist here] ? I think sometimes they find it tricky to refuse a specific demand like that. Sorry you're being so fobbed off. I know how you feel 😔❤️

He hasn't dismissed you, he said come back in 2 weeks if no improvement

Agree with this. Also use a food diary to monitor if any foods makes it worse.

You mention dc? How old? Have you recently (within months) had blood tests? I'm assuming the GP has access to medical history.

Have you contacted Lynch Support? Usually best way to find out about specialists who can offer testing.

Have you been tested for Lynch? If not, there's a 50% chance you have it and all other family history is irrelevant, you need to be referred on the two week pathway. The threshold is very very different to the general public. Call back, ask to see another GP.

You need to keep saying the words Lynch and ovarian cancer. It's horrific that you were brushed off.

As some others have said might be worth trying to book with another gp or if you can afford it a private doctor. You shouldn’t have too but I did that a while ago to get diagnosed and they can then write to your gp.

I agree with this. I understand you are worried but they haven’t dismissed you. They are asking to see you in two weeks. They need to rule out more obvious causes first and the wait for scans would be much longer if they didn’t do this and sent everyone without investigating more likely causes first.

Have you been tested for Lynch Syndrome? I have it and my kids will get tested. I would keep pushing for more investigation but agree GPs can be bloody useless. I ended up going to A&E because my GP kept fobbing me off with stupid, lazy diagnoses like ‘probably’ being run down etc. Making the decision to go to A&E saved my life (I know a lot of people are against going but I thank god I did). Good luck!

In families with Lynch, cancer generally is the most obvious thing. My dad and his sister had six separate cancers between them.

And gastro cancers are even more likely than ovarian.

If OP hasn't been tested for Lynch then they need to start from the point of ruling cancer out and then look at the more mundane causes. The risks are completely different to the general population.

I hadn't heard of lynch syndrome but a quick read tells me it means a greater risk of bowel and womb/endometrial cancer.

Start the omeprazole but go back to your GP to talk about the genetic testing - you have a 50/50 chance of having lynch's so surely knowing either way is a big step forward?

My gp is fab.

Its the gatekeepers of NHS clinics and services l can’t get past.

OP can you afford to make a private appt?

You should have an ultrasound asap and even if the NHS GP referred you - urgent ultrasounds take 2-4 weeks and non-urgent 3 months or so.

If you’re in London there are plenty of private GPs and they often have ultrasound practitioners too. That’s where I would start.

Private GP + ultrasound appt of abdomen + gynae (vaginal) scan.

Ovarian cancer as well, although the risk is lower than bowel and endometrial.

A possible way to improve NHS dramatically would be train all GP into specialists and work in the hospitals, whilst give pharmacists more control to prescribe medication for simple things. The reality of GP is, for more severe things, they can’t do anything; for simple things, they don’t need to do anything. So the GP system worth a total reveal in terms of value for money.

The CA-125 is not a reliable marker for ovarian cancer. I had ovarian cancer and a normal result from that test.

In my area the hospital refuse requests for tests when the GPs can't show they have ticked other boxes first. This may be why he asked you to try the medication for two weeks.

Having said that I have found that female GPs are less likely to assume gastro or anxiety and more likely to refer to check for cancer and other gynaecological causes. Can you see a woman next?

You must be so worried. But I'm with those saying your GP has treated you appropriately- a two week trial for the most likely cause is reasonable imo, and crucially their referral will probably be rejected from a clinic if they don't do that first, plus in some areas they will have to discuss and justify every single referral they make with the CCG and funding will be at risk if they seem to be referring inappropriately. Take the omeprazole and book in for the follow-up.

If you believe there's something wrong go privately if you have the money listen to your health and get it checked you know your body and your family history i'm sorry you feel like your not being listened to but take your health in your own hands and book a ultrasound to begin with they are the most responsible prices starting from £150 at least they can explain what's wrong or if there's nothing to worry about

Wishing you the best

See a different GP and say exactly what @CelesteCunningham said. I personally wouldn't start the medication as it could mask the symptoms of something serious, given your family history.

Omeprazole is a waste of time imo it won’t bring the swelling down even if the problem is in the GI tract. It’s for heartburn and ulcers.

Agreed its for reflux based issues.

Go back request a female gp and repeatedly ask for a referal.

Asking repeatedly but politely yields results.

I have never had to ask more than 6 times for anything from medical tests to refunds.

Go private if you can. My 28 yo niece was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Like you she battled to be seen. Had similar symptoms. The bloating especially. She ended up with a full hysterectomy and no ovaries before she was 30.

Hopefully are ok but ovarian cancer can affect younger women.

I had bloating and back pain and was referred for an US scan, as a matter of course. I was a lot older than you tho . It came back as no problem.

They should refer you, it may well not be cancer but could be fibroids.

There was a thread on here recently where poster were peed off with being asked if they were pregnant- a number had fibroids .

Try another GP! Its not true to say 99% are crap as a PP has stated, many are good.

I noticed that you have dilated vessels too. Has anyone done a physical examination on your abdomen. Your GP needs to do physical examination and then decide if blood tests and ultrasound is needed or refer you to a 2 weeks wait pathway clinic.

please try and get a face to face consultation and get your worries across and make sure you ask them for investigation and be prepared to tell them that given your situation X- 👁️ won’t help and need solid diagnostic tests.