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Original poster

Ovarian Cancer

17 replies

Catsdontcare · 01/09/2011 10:50

Have been having some symptoms recently and I'm now having a real panic about the possibility of ovarian cancer. I've been having mild to moderate abdomen pain aswell as back ache and leg ache. I know these can be the symptoms of other things but I'm in a real panic now that it could be something really serious

I'm going to make a doctors appointment for next week once the kids are at school so I don't have to have them with me.

OP posts:

Original poster

Catsdontcare · 01/09/2011 11:27

OP posts:

hellhasnofury · 01/09/2011 14:38

You're right, it is much more likely to be something much less scary than ovarian cancer but it doesn't stop your brain working overtime in the mean time. Don't tell anyone but I'll quietly hold your hand til you see your GP.

Original poster

Catsdontcare · 01/09/2011 14:41

Thank you hellhasnofury

OP posts:

ameliagrey · 01/09/2011 23:00

OC is very rare in anyone under 50- it can occur but not often.

The symptoms you describe are what you would expect with a late stage cancer when the tumour has grown- so it is unlikely to be that.

Have a look at www.ovacom.co.uk

Ther e is a lot of info and you can download a chart to plot your cymptoms.

hellhasnofury · 02/09/2011 08:02

ameliagrey That link doesn't work? I'd be interested for DD as she's been experiencing lots of symptoms that are worrying her but we're having trouble getting the GP to actually do something to help her.

LilyPickle · 02/09/2011 16:00

If your GP suspects Ovarian Cancer even the tiniest bit he should arrange an ultrasound scan for you and a CA125 blood test (this is not 100% reliable though).

Although OC is rare in under 50's it does happen - I am 37 and was diagnosed last December resulting in a full hysterectomy in January. I went to the docs with bloating and heavy periods, expecting to be put on the pill and 2 weeks later having a cancer diagnosis. Kudos to him for 'just doing a few checks' as if he hadn't - and had just put me on the pill like I wanted - who knows what could have been. Many women have to fight to get their doctors to take their symptoms seriously - I was very, very lucky and was caught in the early stages.

The link that ameliagray put which didn't work is www.ovacome.org.uk

The chances are that it isn't Ovarian Cancer but it could be something else that needs attention - either way you shouldn't have to live in pain because of your periods. Good luck.

Syd35 · 14/09/2011 16:02

LilyPickle - sorry to hear of your diagnosis, I hope you are feeling better now.

I have just come back from the doctor as I have been having unusual bloating and now I have to have a blood test to rule out OC. I am rather worried and the blood test is not till Tuesday so it's prolonging the agony.

You say you had heavy periods, were they heavier than normal? Do you mind me asking if you had any other symptoms, pain etc as it's only really the bloating that is bothering me at the moment?

twankie · 14/09/2011 17:20

you should try and get a scan asap... bloating can be down to lots of problems, including a cysts. I know what you are going through as very recently I had this worry and I am seeing a gyny consultant tomorrow. I had heavy periods 2 years ago, ent to the drs and they immediately referred me for investigation...just on that basis (I was 46).. they then do all the tests to basically eliminate the worst case scenario first. I had a fibroid and a cyst and they recommended the Mirena coil.

Syd35 · 14/09/2011 18:21

Thanks twankie the doctor didn't say anything about a scan at this stage just the blood test to start with, I will press for the scan if I still don't feel right. What us women have to deal with sometimes.

Did you find the coil helpful?

I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow. Do update us if you would like to. I want to get as much info as possible on this kind of thing so I don't get fobbed off which is usually the case at my practice. By a stroke of luck I got to see one of the better GPs today who at least listens.

twankie · 14/09/2011 21:03

I did find the mirena coil basically stopped my periods - which was good as I'd had enough by then. I had awful heavy bleeding and my cycle was getting shorter. However, I've just learned that it can make cysts grow bigger - esp of you have a tendency to have them so you need to check this out first. Meant to say my appt is on Friday not Thurs... it's been a stressful week as I was googling and coming up with ovarian cancer. There's a long story behind this..and I won't go into detail here..will wait for friday and see what things bring. Will the blood test check for CA125 - which is how ovarian cancer is usually flaged up I think?

twankie · 14/09/2011 21:04

they like to rule this out first..as I say..it's routine to start from worst case scenario..it doesn't mean you have it..or even that they suspect you do..

Syd35 · 14/09/2011 21:46

Thanks again twankie, it is worrying as I've been googling too, maybe best to not look, there is so much information out there to scare you.

I will post an update when I get the results back I guess in a couple of weeks as not getting the blood test done till next week.

Ok good luck for Friday, take care...

lisad123 · 15/09/2011 22:14

well if it helps, i have been fighting my GP for a referal for stomach apain, and bloating. I have got a referal this week after going back with back pain and side pain, its only taken 3 years!

Syd35 · 16/09/2011 09:43

Catsdontcare just wondering if you managed to get an appointment yet, are you feeling any better?

LilyPickle · 16/09/2011 20:58

Plese be aware that the CA125 blood test is not 100% reliable - the levels can often be elevated through things like fibroids so if you get a slightly higher reading it is not a given that it is OC. Results should be back a couple of days after the tests.

Catsdontcare - my primary symptom was bloating that never went away but I had horrific heavy periods and pain. I also would eat barely anything before feeling full and yet kept getting bigger. And I felt horrible, knackered all the time, grumpy and no energy.

I tell you what though, 8 months post op I feel bloody fab. For the first 6mths I was knackered all the time but one day it all went and I feel amazing. And I don't miss having periods one bit.

Good luck to you and twankie and keep us up to date.

Oh, and don't google any more, it is too scary.

twankie · 16/09/2011 22:03

it is all fine. The scan that urgently referred me detailed a huge cyst and other ones plus ovary double the normal size. I was told I needed to be seen within 2 weeks.. have spent the last week and a half convincing myself I had ovarian cancer... night sweats.. swollen glands, etc. I was CONVINCED..totally and utterly. Had another scan a few days ago.. they could only find one 4cm cyst.. went to see gyny today...and he was reassuring..said it was a simple functional cyst that didn't need an op..just monitoring in a few months. I made them take a blood test but feel so much better.. I didn't have any bleeding or anything other than usual stomach bloating.

HaveALittleFaithBaby · 17/09/2011 22:47

You were absolutely right to get it checked out. My DMum had ovarian cancer at 50 and died within 4 months if diagnosis with no symptoms when they found it. Glad it's not the big ca. Hope you get things sorted soon.

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