I'm so scared....ovarian cancer.

[Chickenwings85]

I'm 33 years old with one child over 5. I've been bleeding for 6 weeks now, it's like the second day of your period and it's a constant flow. I've had blood tests and the CA125 blood test which came back within normal range but I'm aware that its not the most reliable source and many people don't have raised levels who do have cancer. I've had an ultrasound and an internal ultrasound which picked up a cyst on my right ovary that's just over 5cm by 4cm by 5cm roughly the cyst was once very small and I was told it would disappear on its own however it hasn't. At the scan they had great difficulty in finding my left ovary and after around 5 minutes of searching they found it hiding. I have pain and discomfort during and after sex (we often have to stop because of the pain is too much). I get full easily and feel constantly bloated, I have a consistent dull ache in the ovary area with sharp pains often, I feel sick, have nausea, dizzy, the tiredness is off an other level and im finding normal day to day tasks exhausting and draining, I have

awful lower back pain for as long as I can remember, the tops of my legs ache and hurt. I was diagnosed with IBS around 4 months ago and I avoided certain foods to find out my trigger however I was still having bowel issues despite not eating or drink the things which trigger me.

At my last doctors appointment (last Wednesday) she has put me through for an urgent referral to the hospital to be seen within 2 weeks otherwise I would be waiting until March Plain the possibility of cancer was mentioned. I'm not sure what the point of my post is but I know there will be others who understand and would have gone through the same thing.

Sorry to hear your going through this but the 2 week wait is honestly the worst part of it, try to keep yourself busy if you can and if you need to talk pop over to our cancer support thread here where's there's lots of advice and a lovely lady called TQ who has ovarian cancer. Although keep in mind that it's more than likely you have something that's NOT cancer

Thank you Purple, I've just posted there too.

Hello Chicken I'll post this on the other thread too..

The honest answer is that no-one can tell you whether or not you have cancer. It doesn't sound like ovarian cancer to me at all, given your age (young), no CA125 marker and the fact that you have pain. OC is known as the 'silent killer' because very often there are few symptoms and also no pain but I am only an expert on myself and I cannot diagnose you.

There is obviously something wrong but if you're on a two-week referral then you won't have to wait long to find out. I know it's very tough and the not-knowing is awful but whatever it is (and the odds are that it isn't cancer) you are in very good hands.

Has anyone suggested its endometriosis OP?
This is often misdiagnosed or rather not diagnosed.

My advice is that if your appt still draws a blank, you find a consultant for a 2nd opinion, who is experienced in endo. Not all consultants are 'equal'- they all have their 'pet' areas of expertise.

Endo is diagnosed usually by minor surgery- camera inside.

You might get more info online and through forums and support groups on it.

www.endometriosis-uk.org/information

There have been many cases recently in the media about women who have gone for years and years not diagnosed.

The CA125 test is only accurate in 80% of cases of women with advanced OC anyway. Raised levels can be seen with other gynae issues that have nothing to do with cancer.

Obviously cancer is no respecter of age, but statistically, most women who do have OC are older than you are and again, statistically, it's rare in women under 40 (figures are on Cancer Research site.)

Good luck with your appt.

The other thing to consider is fibroids - they have similar symptons but would have thought they would have been picked up with your ultrasound.

I am in a similar position, and ovarian cancer is worrying me too, especially as I have put on weight around my waist, permanent lower pelvic cramping and have been bleeding on and off for 3 mths now.

I have to keep saying to myself ovarian cancer is rare in women pre menopause, and bleeding is not a symptom, but it is so hard when you haven't had a definitive diagnosis.

I am booked in for an ultrasound at the weekend, so will see what shows up then.....

Thoughts with you as know how you are feeling xx

Thank you very much for the replies and the reassurance. You're all so kind and lovely.

Akrotiri1 - Thank You, It's scary isn't it and difficult not to worry about the worst?! A thousand thoughts of what ifs go through your mind constantly. Please update us about how you get on. If you would like to chat more please feel free to private message me. X

Didn't the doctor suggest endometriosis, as another poster asked? That causes bleeding and pain during intercourse.

No nothing was mentioned at all. I've seen 3 different doctors so far and neither have mentioned it.

Given your age you could ask them to check AFP and HCG (you can check this one yourself to an extent with a pregnancy test).

Keep calm, you’re young so it’s unlikely to be cancer and there’s so much else it could be. But if it is, they’ll deal with it and you need to cross that bridge if and when you come to it

(I’m now 8 and a bit years clear following ovarian cancer at 21. Not epithelial which is the “normal” one.)

Does sound like endometriosis (DP has it), especially with the intercourse pain. Hope you get your answers soon

Chicken, do you mean the three docswere all GPs? thank God you are seeing a gynae at last, I'm surprised they haven't referred you earlier. So it may well be endometriosis after all.