Hello Chrissyh

Thank you for posting in our Ask the Nurses topic area. The nurse team is out of the office for the festive period.

The office reopens on Wednesday 28^th to 30th Dec 9 am to 5 pm. Then closed 5 pm 30th Dec, back on 3rd Jan 2023 to 6th Jan, as normal 9 am to 5 pm.

They will reply as soon as they can but you’re also welcome to contact them on 0808 800 4040 during opening hours.

Best wishes,
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator

Hi ChrissyH and thanks for posting.

It does sound like you are having a worrying time at the moment.

The level of CA125 in your blood can rise for many reasons including endometriosis, having a period, ovarian cysts, and sometimes ovarian cancer. This is why it can't be used on its own as a test for ovarian cancer.  Some people can also have a CA-125 level within normal limits and have ovarian cancer.

You said you had a scan which showed a mass that had doubled in size.  This could be why the gynecologist wanted to do further tests.

I wonder if it is possible to leave a message for your doctor so they can explain a bit more about what is happening.  They will be able to tell you why they want you to have more tests and when you can expect the results.

It can be so overwhelming being in hospital and hearing all sorts of terms which are unfamiliar, hopefully your doctor will be able to explain more about these and what they mean.

I hope you find out more soon.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care

Rachel

Hi Rachel they held the MDT meeting today and I had a call from the Macmillan clinical nurse specialist who booked me in with consultant tomorrow face to face . 

I'm very worried now as Macmillan nurses are cancer nurses and it seems really quick them getting me in tomorrow and face to face too. Hope I'm wrong .

Hi I went to appointment it was an oncologist I saw he said they can remove my ovaries and mass then they will look at the tissues to see if it's cancerous . I'm quite a complex case because they can't just go in and biopsy they would need to do all in one .it's risky surgery for me because of previous surgery and angina and diabetes . They also said before surgery I need rapid access referral for my bowel as I'm losing big clots of blood with stools and other symptoms from there .so they giving that team two months then I've got to see gyne and will be booked for surgery .

Hello and thanks for getting back and updating us about your situation

I am sorry to hear you need surgery and appreciate with some other health issues this is concerning you.

Do talk through any worries you have about the operation with the team so they can hopefully put your mind at ease. Unfortunately with pelvic masses it is often only after they have surgically removed it that they can assess it properly to rule out cancer for sure.

I'm also sorry to hear about you also passing clots of blood in your stools and hope the GI  ( gastrointestinal) team figure out what is going on there very soon as well.

Do get back if you have more questions or give us a call on 0800 808 4040 weekdays 9-5.

Hoping everything turns out okay for you

Take care

Naomi