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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I’m 26 and terrified I have ovarian cancer

22 replies

LavenderLavender1 · 21/10/2023 07:18

I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS many years ago. I often get some niggling pain especially when I am on my period.

I’ve been extremely bloated, more than normal, for around 3-4 weeks now. When I went to my GP they did a pregnancy test (one came back very faintly positive, and all the rest were negative) and then she just gave me some laxatives. It’s got no better, in fact it’s got worse.

I’ve noticed random bodily changes that, when I Google, may be down to hormone changes eg oily skin and spots, becoming really full, getting ulcers etc.

I am nearly crying in pain today. The ovary pain is really really bad and really frequent. I have a very bloated tummy and then towards my uterus I have another slight raise and swelling.

The GP won’t test as I’m too young for cancer”.

Am I just scaring myself?

OP posts:

Original poster

LavenderLavender1 · 21/10/2023 07:19

forgot to mention I woke up with really bad heartburn/acid reflux in the middle of the night on Wednesday too.

OP posts:

nextdoorneighbours · 21/10/2023 07:20

Ovarian cancer is silent - hence the danger.

WonderingWanda · 21/10/2023 07:24

You need to go back to the gp and be persistent it could be all sorts of things so I don't want you to freak out about ovarian cancer specifically. The faint positive pregnancy test with pain is a worry from an ectopic pregnancy point of view. The pain could be from things like a twisted ovary or endometriosis. I can't believe she just sent you away. Go back or if the pain is severe enough this weekend call 111 and access some help today.

WonderingWanda · 21/10/2023 07:25

I found gp's quite dismissive of me when I was younger, I think they just send you away and see if you come back before taking you seriously.

CopperSilver · 21/10/2023 07:27

Ask for a pelvic ultrasound scan. Women in pain should not be ignored. You are unlikely to have ovarian ca statistically at your age so try not to worry too much. But you deserve investigations and care.

flippertygibblet · 21/10/2023 07:28

I think it would be unusual for someone of your age to have ovarian cancer, however, you're obviously struggling with different symptoms that effect your daily life & it would be perfectly reasonable to go back to the GP for further testing for reassurance & for treatment/medication to help with your symptoms. Maybe keep a diary of your symptoms & be sure to give your GP as much information as possible. A referral to gynaecology may be beneficial but the GP would need to assess there was a clinical need.

OnAir · 21/10/2023 07:37

flippertygibblet · 21/10/2023 07:28

Not too young I had ovarian cancer first found at 22 years old just unlucky. It's not that common though I was always told I was so young by everyone on the wards.

namechange55465 · 21/10/2023 07:42

Can you see a different GP?

Bekind90 · 21/10/2023 07:59

If you can and for peace of mind, try a pregnancy ultrasound clinic and get a private ultrasound done. They don’t just scan pregnant women but when I went to a window of the womb they offered scans for irregular bleeding, pelvic pain, and ovary concerns. For peace of mind and £50 I’d say it’s money well spent. All the best OP x

AGreatUsername · 21/10/2023 08:00

You need to insist on a CA125 blood test and ultrasound as soon as possible. There is a type of ovarian cancer called low grade, it is very rare but has a much lower age range. I have it, diagnosed last year mid thirties.

Ovarian cancer is silent and it is deadly, over 75% of us are stage 3/4 at diagnosis. Please do go back and insist on further tests.

MidnightOnceMore · 21/10/2023 08:03

The GP won’t test as I’m too young for cancer

Has the GP actually said this in response to s direct request?

I would go back for a second opinion, with another person at the appointment, with the list of ovarian cancer symptoms and a request for a test. If they turn it down, ask them how they can guarantee it is not ovarian cancer despite your symptoms.

Read the NICE guidelines on testing too and make sure they follow them.

Patcherdog · 21/10/2023 08:10

Yes CA 125 blood test. Can't your GP offer this as a first step? Hope things settle for you x

Original poster

LavenderLavender1 · 21/10/2023 08:10

Thank you all so much. Yeah the GP actually said that!
I am also worried about ectopic pregnancy given that the faint positive happened around 5 weeks ago (but none since). I have had a normal period since but it was really heavy. Are bloating and ovary pain normal symptoms for this??

OP posts:

Hotpinkangel19 · 21/10/2023 08:13

Definitely not too young - go back and ask again. If they refuse ask for the refusal to refer in writing. My friend was younger than you with Ovarian Cancer.

PonkyPonky · 21/10/2023 08:17

You definitely need an ultrasound. I had a massive ovarian cyst in my teens that made me look 8 months pregnant by the time it was discovered. I had a lot of the same symptoms as you. An ultrasound would tell them what’s going on immediately. Go back to the GP and don’t take no for an answer. Can you afford to go private to speed things up?

Unabletomitigate · 21/10/2023 08:33

If you are in pain, you need to get checked out. You need to rule out pregnancy and cancer. Otherwise this is going to prey on your mind.
Good luck.

MintJulia · 21/10/2023 08:40

You need to go back and insist on an ultrasound.

My gp fobbed me off for months with exactly the same symptoms. He insisted I was attention seeking and had IBS. In the end I crawled into a&e at 3am in agony and passed out.

I had an ovarian cyst that had grown too big, twisted and turned necrotic. I lost an ovary & tube. A week in Hosp than 6 weeks off work.

Go back and make a big fuss. Get a second opinion. Change gps.

IrresponsiblyCertainAboutSexualDimorphism · 21/10/2023 08:43

If you’re in excruciating pain, ring 111.

BumpheadParrotfish · 21/10/2023 08:53

Don't be afraid to keep going back to your GP until you get answers.

My sister died a couple of months ago of a cancer (not ovarian) that she was "too young" for. She had been back and forth to the GP who made her feel like a time waster. Eventually the tumour was found in A&E and she passed away 3 months later.

Hopefully your pain & symptoms will be something that is easily treated, once medics have got to the bottom of what is going on. But in the meantime, don't be afraid to push for answers, no matter how exasperated they get with you.

Original poster

LavenderLavender1 · 22/10/2023 08:11

So strange!!

I went to A&E. They did all the bloods and did an ultrasound. Absolutely nothing came back, everything was clear and the ultrasound was also clear. She said my ovaries looked really good, but it may have been potentially twisting at the time it was really bad pain.

She suggested it could be v early onset appendicitis which hasn’t been detected, and she’s also referred me to get a colonoscopy to rule out bowel diseases.

I actually cried because I just wanted an answer and I’m still bloated and in some pain ☹️

OP posts:

Retta1809 · 03/01/2024 22:10

@LavenderLavender1 how are you now? Have you had your colonoscopy? x

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 06/01/2024 20:40

I’m so sorry OP. I have had similar symptoms on and off for pretty much my whole adult life (now early 30s) and think it’s endometriosis. I had an ultrasound and asked if there were any cysts (as I’m certain I have PCOS too) but they said there was nothing. Endo however can be missed, and is better picked up by MRI or laparoscopy.

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