Worried I have ovarian cancer

[Allsortsmakesnormal]

I'm 38 years old and for just over two weeks I've been getting abdominal pain. It first started as a crampy, heavy feeling like the first day of my period but I was 9 days after last period so definitely not that. Since then it's migrated to the left side and also left side of lower back. I'm slightly bloated but I have IBS on and off so that's confusing things. I've not had any days since it started when it's not there and in fact I think it's getting worse as last night was the first night when it was bothering me during the night. A bit gassy and was constipated to begin with but now a bit loose the last couple of days. I've been referred for an urgent scan but I think it's getting worse.

Anyone had anything similar that turned out to be ok?

My friend went through this recently, CA125 blood test was normal, ultrasound found uterine polyps, biopsy proved them benign and she’s opted for going on the wait list for hysterectomy. She’s 51.

I lost my mum to Ovarian Cancer in her early 50s (20 years ago) and she was so bloated at diagnosis she genuinely looked 8 and half months pregnant.

You’ve done the right thing by getting a referral, definitely better safe than sorry, but there are lots of other things that could be causing similar pain (a grumbling appendix was suggested to my friend, but she had her appendix removed circa 1993!)

Hopefully you aren’t waiting too long for answers.

Not exactly the same kind of pain, but I too was really worried about having ovarian cancer. I have some particular risk factors and about a month with a constant aching period like pain on my right side - it was always there and really made me uncomfortable. After a thorough scan I was told it was just a particularly annoying functional cyst and that it would likely resolve in a month or two. It did.
It's scary feeling in pain and I definitely worked myself up into a little bit of a worry - but please remember at your age it's highly unlikely to be ovarian cancer.

My sister had ovarian cancer and she was so bloated, they said she looked 32 weeks pregnant and her stomach was rock hard.
Always best to get these things checked out! I hope you're ok xx

Thank you for the replies so far. I was referred on Monday so still waiting for a scan date. I'm trying not to jump to the worst conclusion but it is difficult, especially when you're in pain so constantly reminded that something isn't right!

I'm a bit bloated but not massively - I'm due my period in the next few days which I always get a bit bloated before so could be that. It's just strange to have the pain in the front and back as well, I guess the back pain is referred pain from whatever is going on inside.

@IHateLegDay I hope your sister is ok now. My bloating is soft and squishy rather than hard, maybe a positive sign? Basically until I get the scan done there's not much I can do. Just so hard waiting.

At work on the Friday, my colleague was complaining that she was having bladder problems and had been referred to a consultant.

On Saturday morning she woke up to her abdomen looking nine months pregnant. It was that sudden and she'd had no pain, just trouble emptying her bladder. I expect there will be a better diagnosis OP.

How are you now OP?

@Allsortsmakesnormal how did you get on with your scan?

Hello, scan was fine - all normal. Put down to IBS symptoms. It's all settled down again now.

Great news!

@Allsortsmakesnormal great news!

So happy for you xxx