HRT, fibroids and ovarian cancer

[JJkate]

Hi all. My friend is prone to fibroids. She was experiencing some peri symptoms (poor sleep mainly) so tried HRT for a year.

She has had some bloating and pain in abdomen. A scan has revealed new fibroids.

Dr wants a blood test for ovarian cancer doing. Friend is very worried and concerned that the hrt has caused the fibroids and that it may have triggered cancer too as Dr has said to check for this.

My question is, how common is this? Should she stop the hrt? The NHS aren't really giving any guidance and it's all very vague.

It's well known that estrogen can cause fibroids to grow- the solution can be to use the Mirena coil to prevent the fibroids growing.

The symptoms of bloating and pain can be a sign of OC but they can also be a sign of lots of other things too. So the dr is right to check.

But.....

Ideally your friend should have a pelvic scan as the blood test for OC is very inaccurate. It can be low in women who do have cancer, and high in women who don't - like if they have endometriosis.

A scan would show an ovarian tumour so it's a bit odd they've done a blood test now after a scan. Maybe the GP is being ultra careful?

She could ask?

But HRT is not known to cause OC- the jury is out on that and if it does it's very very rare.

CA-125 is likely to be pretty elevated with fibroids, so I wouldn't have thought that a blood test would be a very accurate way of diagnosing ovarian cancer. Fibroids can cause bloating and pain, so her symptoms are consistent with that. But, to rule out cancer, a biopsy or further scans would be needed.

Thank you so much both of you.

This has happened to me. I was put on HRT in October had a bleed in December. Was sent for an ultrasound first and my womb is thick 6.2mm anything above 5mm has to be investigated.
I'm waiting on an appointment for gyena.

I was then told I needed bloods done CA125 after my scan. Nothing was said about my ovaries. Waiting on results.

I was told it's also tells the dr if there inflammation in the pevic area.

@ch145 did you start on continuous HRT because if you did and it was only 2 months and you were bleeding that can be normal. It can take 6 months for hormones to settle and bleeding can happen during this time.

@Christine0708 hi, I'm on the Evorel conti patches. Ever since I was moved on them I feel so crap. I don't think they agree with me but the doctor is keeping me on them

Hi, my bloods came back normal. Have appointment with gynea on Friday xx