having problems with periods and things now just found aunt had to have a hysterectomy because of cancer - shall i go back?

[jellyjelly]

I went to my doctor a few months ago (about 3 i think) as my periods had gone a bit loopy. Iused to come on and stay on for about 5-7 days (normal) then they started to be on and off for about 10 days.

My last one was 3 days. They are changing. I am 32 in a couple of weeks.

I was having a 'flutter' in my uterus often, not at any time of my cycle just anytime and quite often.

It felt like when the baby is moving around, a bit like butterflies but very far down.

I am due a smear in a couple of months.

The doctor asked if i had lost weight - am up and down.
She asked if i had an upset stomach - i do but have allergies.

Yesterday I was told by my mum that my Aunt, her sister, had to have a hysterectomy and lymph nodes removed because she has cancer. I couldnt get more info out of her as they are waiting for results.

Shall I go back and press for further treatment or a referal to check on why they are changing and if so what.

Advice appreciated.

Forgot to say they have been odd for a while, i did mention it to another doctor on a different visit who just recorded it.

Assuming that your aunt is in her 50s or 60s, then her having cancer doesn't put you into a particularly high risk group statistically. Close relatives, specially more than one, getting cancers at a young age would be more of a worrying factor.

But, with or without that, I'd still be asking to be referred to someone for tests to see what is happening, if your cycle has gone odd (for you) just because I always think things should be checked out!

ok, was worried as her mum had breast cancer that went everywhere and then her and her dad had cancer.

ok, was worried as her mum had breast cancer that went everywhere and then her and her dad had cancer.

It really does depend whether they are cancers which are linked to one another, and also on the age of the person when they are first diagnosed. Because we are generally living longer and not dying of other things, a high proportion of people will suffer from some form of cancer in later life. Obviously terrible for them, and worrying for us, but doctors don't take the "normal" level of cancers which happen in a family as being signs that a younger person is more likely to have a cancer.

Something like 90% of ovarian cancers and 80% of breast cancers are after the menopause - so your relatives suffering from those at that age doesn't up your chances of having something before the menopause IYSWIM?

But do go and get it checked out - the GP should be able to refer you to a specialist to chekc out hormone levels etc, and pick up on anything which does need ot be treated.

Thank you.

Jelly, When you go back, you are asking about the BRCA1 and 2 genetic mutations. They are mutations on two of the genes, which can make one's chances of ovarian and/or breast cancer higher. If you have a family history of ovarian/breast cancer, you MAY (only) have a higher chance of carrying the mutated gene which then MAY (only) give you a higher chance of getting those cancers. They do not affect the likelihood of any other cancers (ie her dad's assuming this was not breast). I don't know how it works in the UK (I am in the US) but there is a blood test that can test for the mutations so you know for sure.
I am really only letting you know this for information, it's highly unlikely you have the mutations, very few people do. The period issues are most likely completely separate - one of the things about ovarian cancer is that it often doesn't have any symptoms for quite a while. But do go back to the GP and discuss it.