To think I might have ovarian cancer

[Scared1996]

I’m only 28 but I am really worried.

I am usually flat stomached but I have been persistently bloated for 6 weeks now. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, or what I eat - it’s alway there. I have put on nearly a stone.
My tummy is absolutely huge.

I have also felt really “off” for a few weeks - I am usually quite an active person, I run etc. I haven’t been on a run in 3 weeks for a reason I can’t put my finger on, I just feel tired and I feel quite sick a lot of the time.
I am quite constipated and getting full quickly.

Over the last few days I’m getting a dull pain on my lower right side and lower right back.

I went to the doctors 2 weeks ago and told her my symptoms. She didn’t even look at my stomach and said it must be because of my contraceptive pill (I had only been taking it for 4 days and the symptoms stated way before that!!).

I then put another request through on Monday to see a doctor. They put me in for a telephone appointment on Thursday (so again; no one will see my stomach).

So last night I called 111 and they got me an OOH appointment. The lady looked at my stomach and gasped. She said it feels very tender on my right side and there’s definitely swelling. But honestly the pain is quite minimal - but in my gut I just know something is wrong.
she sent me straight to a&e but said there wouldn’t be anyone to do any relevant testing until the morning; so I am going to go after work.

I am really really worried…..

Oh and i have also been getting headaches!

I hope you get reassuring news very quickly.

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 28 and I had to push hard to get doctors to take me seriously. I don’t know the statistics, but it is unlikely that you have ovarian cancer. However, you do have symptoms that need a diagnosis, so keep advocating for your own health until you get answers. I hope all goes well for you and that the cause of your problems is something minor and easy to resolve.

Thanks so much! I’m not even sure what to ask for - maybe an ultrasound but even they don’t show ovarian cancer do they?
I just feel fobbed off everytime I tell someone my symptoms so far

And @Flutterbees sorry to hear that and I hope you’re ok now? How did you manage to get them to take you seriously? x

Yes, an ultrasound will show problems, so you probably need one. In itself it probably isn’t enough to diagnose cancer as opposed to a large cyst. I’m not a doctor but have had many ultrasounds for familial ovarian cancer risk (mother and grandmother), so I know that ultrasounds are used.

I hope it isn’t what you fear.

If they are not prepared to offer you a scan can you afford to get a private scan? Maybe on a 0% credit card?

You must be desperately worried OP x

I kept going back and was finally able to get a referral for an abdominal ultrasound. It showed that I had large cysts on both ovaries and when they were surgically removed, the surgeon knew just by looking at one that it was not normal. My CA125 blood test was quite low, it’s not a reliable marker for me. In good news, I’ve had many, many surgeries over the years but have managed to stay cancer free and to have three children. I’m now in surgically induced menopause and can’t take HRT, but I count my blessings that I’m still here and able to experience a hot flush!

It’s quite possible this is a digestive issue more than it is cancer. I say this as someone diagnosed with both a chronic gut issue and who has had cancer (not ovarian).

It should be an easy thing to check. You need some blood tests, to generally check how you are doing, liver, kidney health, inflammation markers, and the CA125 test which looks for cancer markers that could indicate ovarian cancer. And you need an ultrasound. I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s very likely that ovarian cancer would show on an ultrasound. They would not be able to confirm what it is without a biopsy, but they would be able to see what’s causing the swelling, which together with blood tests would give some indication.

I think you need to keep pushing. Make yourself annoying. I got fobbed off the first time I went to the GP about my cancer. I went back and then once I got a 2 week pathway referral, I made myself really annoying until all the investigations were sorted. It absolutely sped things along. Once they knew I was going to continue to be a pain, voila, my results came back next day.

Keep pushing. It should be straightforward to rule out. You could even get a private ultrasound done. I’ve had a pelvic one and I think it was £60. Money well spent for reassurance.

Also, it’s a really obvious question, but since you mentioned changing birth control, have you taken a pregnancy test? Pregnancy, for me, caused all of the symptoms you are describing. It’s something to rule out if you haven’t.

From what you describe your own GP should be the one for next steps in assessment - there's lots of causes for bloating/abdominal pain - if the OOGP you saw was talking about a&e that wouldn't normally be to diagnose cancer, it would be something like cholecystitis/or just if you were describing severe symptoms not in keeping with assessment/you weren't reassured so goto A&E for a second opinion.

A&E don't typically do much cancer screening themselves it's more something theyd ask GP to follow up on/to consider referring. Results come back to the Dr who requests the tests and A&E wouldn't want to be the point of contact for that.

It could be all sorts of things that are much less serious than cancer, so try not to worry. It could be a cyst, fibroids, a gut problem, even endometriosis - so try not to fixate on the worst case scenario.

It’s very, very rare to get ovarian cancer at 28, so it’s far more likely that it’s something else and much less serious.

The ultrasound is so they can see things like cysts. I’ve got a benign ovarian cyst that was diagnosed with an ultrasound scan.

OP, there are loads of things it could be. Honestly.

You need to make sure that your symptoms are heard and acted on by the Dr., its fine to question "but what about xyz?" or whatever. I'd be less inclined to go in saying "I'm sure I have ovarian cancer, so you need to refer me for test abc"... rather than "I'm concerned my symptoms all match with ovarian cancer symptoms, though I realise there are other possibilities. Is there a way to rule that out?"

You might already have done this, but if you are sexually active it would be worth doing a pregnancy test too. Those can also all be pregnancy symptoms.

There are a number of things it could be. I agree with previous posters though, state your concerns clearly and calmly and ask for those concerns to be investigated.

"I'm concerned because my symptoms are consistant with those of ovarian cancer. I would appreciate investigations to rule that out."

I hope you get some answers soon and that it's not cancer.

I would highly recommend a discussion with the Nurses at The Eve Appeal through their Ask Eve service. They are amazing.

As others have said, definitely push for an ultrasound. I then had a CT scan which informed whether the mass I had could be drained or had to be removed intact. I also had the CA125 blood test, but this on its own isn't completely reliable. Definitely an ultrasound as a first step though. Keep advocating for yourself.

Could be anything from food allergies/intolerances to endometriosis / coeliac disease tbf 🤷‍♀️ I ended up looking extremely bloated like 9 months pregnancy and had adenymyosis and endometriosis and had a hysterectomy and it was the best thing ever it literally changed my life

I went to a&e with pain, just been seen by triage but it was really rushed. She did a really quick abdominal ultrasound literally for about 10 seconds and said nothing was screaming at her but I also had a really full bladder.
They’ve done blood tests for renal/kidney apparently, but sounded routine but I’m wondering if I should have asked for ca125.
they have done a urine sample too I can’t help but feel like I am just going to get sent home again

Could it be gallstones? They cause bloating and constipation and feeling full quickly. Taking birth control can cause gallstones as they can be estrogen related.

I have a family history of ovarian cancer so always bring it up to doctors, my coil was causing a lot of bleeding, constant cramping, pain, bloating etc for 2-3 weeks of every cycle. I was extremely concerned, and the response was kind of dismissive, though she did say that if there was ovarian cancer there would likely be heavy bleeding. Lord knows how accurate that is, but maybe it will help rest your mind. When my family member had it, that was definitely the sign that triggered them as they were well past menopause.

I’ve been told it’s a UTI and I’m going to be sent home. Surely a UTI doesn’t cause 6-7 weeks of bloating?? I’ve had them before and had completely different symptoms??? Should I get a second opinion??

My mum had ovarian cancer.
Her symptoms were extreme bloating that didn't go away over night.
Indigestion
Back pain
Tiredness
UTI symptoms but no UTI.
Symptoms ramped up pretty quickly from Dec she was fine to March she collapsed with 4litres of fluid in her stomach. Her GP dismissed her multiple times before her collapse

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in A&E after bloating. Also was struggling to eat and had bowel changes. I’d keep pushing dr - a ca125 blood test may help but not everyone with OC has high numbers. Keep pushing!

I’m sittng here sobbing in the waiting room waiting for bloods to come back (kidney and liver??). I have had lots of UTIs and none of my symptoms are the same. My wee isn’t burning at all and I’ve literally been bloated 7 weeks. Surely if it was a UTI it would have been way worse by now

she said my urine sample showed an infection.

I don’t feel happy at all and I’m wondering if I should push for a second opinion

They did a really quick abdominal ultrasound and she’s saying they didn’t say anything so therefore it’s not my ovaries.

A very quick google tells me that bloating is possible with a UTI due to inflammation and gas building up in the tissues, have a look yourself or ask them when they come back with your results. They would have seen anything on your ovaries during the ultrasound.

But surely not for 7 weeks? With no burning sensation or urgency to wee?