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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I might have ovarian cancer

55 replies

Scared1996 · 07/10/2025 12:53

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…..

OP posts:
Awobabobob · 07/10/2025 19:12

OP please be reassured the sonographer didn’t find an ovarian mass. I promise it doesn’t take long to exclude one with ultrasound

Barney16 · 07/10/2025 19:18

I had similar symptoms with a UTI. I was astonished thats what the GP came up with but he gave me antibiotics which did the trick. I had been sort of unwell for about a month then suddenly felt awful.

GentleSheep · 07/10/2025 19:19

It's possible to have more than one thing going on, so there could be something in addition to a urinary infection. Keep pushing for tests and answers.

Original poster
Scared1996 · 07/10/2025 19:24

I’ve been sent home. I just feel so so defeated. They said they don’t have the power to do an emergency ultrasound or refer to specialist services such as gynae so I have to go back to my GP (who have already dismissed me twice). So likely a 9 month wait list to be seen by gynae

they also said they don’t do CA125 in pre menopausal women (I’ve defo had before??)

OP posts:
babasaclover · 07/10/2025 19:27

Could be appendicitis, I had no pain but all your other symptoms and needed mine out confirmed by xray and bloods. Fingers crossed for you. Look up Martha’s law, do not be fobbed off! Take someone with you who will not let you fold, a good friend who will advocate for you.

notafraidofthebigbadwolf · 07/10/2025 19:29

I’m so sorry for how you’re feeling. I went somewhere near Liverpool Street station for a private CA125 test after my mum got ovarian cancer. It cost about £90 I think.

winewolfhowls · 07/10/2025 19:36

I've had a ca 125 blood test after bloating and serious period pain episodes. The NHS GP ordered it. The results were back quickly too, and were clear. I then had months before an ultrasound that didn't find anything.

UTIs can present in different ways so I can imagine them causing you real problems.

I think in your shoes I would go back to GP and ask for further tests.

seriouslynonames · 07/10/2025 19:40

Take some antibiotics for the UTI, but also go back to the GP and tell them how worried the out of hours doctor was (GP will be able to see the notes ) and explain that your symptoms aren't consistent with a UTI and that you want to check if you have more than one thing going on, given that the problems have been going on 2 months now.

Ask specifically for the CA125 blood test, and ask whether there are any differential diagnoses the GP can investigate or rule out. If your symptoms massively improve with the UTI antibiotics then great, but if they don't then we least you haven't lost any time.

Good luck - write stuff down and show them your list of symptoms/concerns/questions

GentleSheep · 07/10/2025 19:49

Scared1996 · 07/10/2025 19:24

I’ve been sent home. I just feel so so defeated. They said they don’t have the power to do an emergency ultrasound or refer to specialist services such as gynae so I have to go back to my GP (who have already dismissed me twice). So likely a 9 month wait list to be seen by gynae

they also said they don’t do CA125 in pre menopausal women (I’ve defo had before??)

You can buy CA125 test kits online. Might be worth doing? You can always show the result to your GP if it flags up something out of range.

Plmnki · 07/10/2025 20:06

This is dreadful. In your situation I would pay £300 for a top Harley St doctor to do a scan (if you are in London). I did this, got a quick appointment with Professor Tom Bourne who has written seven (!) books on gynae ultrasound techniques. He was respectful, reassuring and immensely knowledgeable.

The NHS lack of focus / care on women’s health is deplorable. I Went without a holiday for two years to pay for the top gynae doctors after being massively stuffed around by the nhs for two years.

being treated by top experts instantly was worth every penny.

good luck accessing decent treatment, I really sympathise.

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 07/10/2025 20:19

OP you can get well woman scans privately, they are usually done at the private pregnancy scan clinics. They are called ultrasound direct or baby bond where I am and they cost around £150 here. They will do a transvaginal scan and will tell you immediately and they can refer to the NHS if they find anything that needs attention. They can also do the cancer blood tests if necessary. I can usually book same week.

It's highly unlikely to be ovarian cancer at 28. I used to manage Womens Services at a university hospital so I am not a medic but I worked with gynaecologist for many years. My FIL was one as well. However, it does need to be ruled out and i know the waiting is scary.

Fiveandeight58 · 07/10/2025 20:20

It could be a large ovarian cyst my daughter had one of these when she was only 18/19 she actually looked pregnant I took her to the gp who examined her and insisted she was pregnant we knew she wasn’t has she’d already done a test doctor also did a pregnancy test again negative then he called in another gp they did another test that was negative at this point I think he realised that something was definitely very wrong he straight away got on the phone to a gynaecologist he knew and we where sent straight up to the gynaecology ward where tests where done including Internal over the coming weeks she had ultrasounds and scans done where they diagnosed the cyst she was in a lot of pain at this point and was awaiting an operation to remove it eventually had the operation and a 4lb cyst was removed they managed to remove it and save her ovaries and she’s now a mum to my 2 year old grandson so don’t automatically assume you have cancer you too may have a cyst

Helen1625 · 07/10/2025 20:35

Once a GP has fobbed you off (we've probably all been there) it does make you reluctant to go back again as it makes you feel as if they might think you're wasting their time. You are not wasting their time. It's their job to see patients and they get paid a lot of money for doing it!

I took my daughter 3 times before I was taken seriously - the 2nd GP asked if my then 6 yr old was a 'drama queen'. Luckily I wasn't put off by his attempts to dismiss her symptoms - she ended up being admitted in hospital with pneumonia! They are not perfect, they do make errors from time to time, they don't have xray vision either, so if they are unsure of what's causing your symptoms, the least that they can do is get you a referral to someone who can help.

Be brave, be confident, go back and say 'my symptoms haven't improved/have got worse and I am really concerned.'

I think subconsciously we put doctors on a pedestal, like they shouldn't be challenged, but it is OK to ask questions, to ask them to explain, to say 'how long should I give it before I come back if things don't get better?, to ask them what they are basing their decision on and to tell them what your concerns are and ask them to explain why you might be wrong.

If you're not comfortable doing that, would someone go with you for moral support?

Hope you get sorted. Let us know how you get on 😊

Original poster
Scared1996 · 07/10/2025 20:38

They did say I had an infection in my urine so I’m absolutely not arguing that at all. But I almost feel it’s a coincidence that I also have a UTI probably on top of what else is going on…

thank you everyone for your words of reassurance. I’ll absolutely be looking into private care!

OP posts:
Original poster
Scared1996 · 07/10/2025 22:28

I’m sitting up worrying. I really don’t think I got the full picture today, I’m so confused as to how a UTI can cause all of this

OP posts:
Drawmouse · 07/10/2025 22:31

Did they check your appendix?

KatyaKat · 07/10/2025 22:34

Could you pay to see a private GP? Even if just to get a referral to gynae?

27pilates · 07/10/2025 23:13

You’re going to have to take the antibiotics I OP, see if the symptoms go and if not, straight back to your GP, the moment you’ve completed the course. Do you have your measurements recorded from before all this started with current abdominal girth?
also go armed with daily calories in and out, just in case GP attributes it to weight gain.
Mathematical fugures often get more attention.

RoseAlone · 07/10/2025 23:25

You've got a uti and you're constipated both of which can provide the symptoms you list by themselves never mind together!

Take the antibiotics for the uti and sort out the constipation and chances are everything else will disappear

LuLuLemonDrizzleCake · 07/10/2025 23:33

Go to your GP tomorrow and ask for your CA125 to be checked. If they cannot at least get bloods done this week, then go private, just to check the markers.

Even if your CA125 levels are high, it might still only be due to endometriosis or adenomyosis, which can also cause bloating, pain and fatigue.

But the first step is to get the CA125 checked and then, if it is high, you will be put on the 2 week cancer pathway which should then lead to a transvaginal scan and an MRI to rule out cancer.

It is likely not cancer but you have to be assertive and demand full bloods ASAP.

27pilates · 07/10/2025 23:42

Ca125 isn’t a reliable diagnostic test for ovarian cancer. Start with taking the antibiotics, as another poster said- sort out the constipation and then back to the GP if no difference as soon as the course of antibiotics end. You’ll be 5 / 7 days down the line by then so not really losing any significant amount of time.

EweCee · 07/10/2025 23:45

I would research the BEAT ovarian cancer symptom tracker and track it for a few days and then go back to your GP with the tracker to show them why you think they need to rule out ovarian cancer and get them to give you a CA125 blood test. As PP have said, raised CA125 is not diagnostic on its own but it starts the pathway to diagnosis (which isn’t a quick process, particularly for pre-menopausal women).

Garamousalata · 07/10/2025 23:53

When I had ovarian cancer my CA125 was completely normal. It took six GP appointments to get a referral. When I was referred I had a scan, which showed a big cyst on my left ovary. Keep puforvanswers @Scared1996 .

Pbjsand · 07/10/2025 23:57

Can you pay to have the CA125 or pelvic scan privately? You don’t need a referral if you’re paying.

ohfourfoxache · 08/10/2025 00:00

When you see the GP, cite Jess’s Rule

This will be (at least) your 3rd GP attendance for the same issue. Jess’s Rule means that they have to stop and think again, revisit, and reframe

If they don’t do anything then you need to complain to the practice manager; if they don’t listen then you need to approach your ICB