Classic case of Ovarian cancer symptoms being mistaken/masked by other benign conditions?

Hi

i am worried the above might be the case for me.

i am 58 and within the last month have had abdominal bloating everyday and increasingly in the last week or two intermittent ache in abdomen.  Other symptoms like urine frequency and change in bowel habit are difficult to determine 

as I have had bladder cancer - and a possible ibs diagnosis last year at 57 (which I understand is unusual in women my age).  Last week the  Dr booked me for a FBC and CA125 marker test which is tomorrow and an ultrasound which is in 10 days time.  She felt my abdomen but didnt find anything of concern.  I am not on a 2 wk referral but feel I should be.  

i had an ultrasound last July which was normal although they can only do TAS rather than TVS due to a congenital abnormality.  I had a normal CA125 then too of 9.  I am worried though that something early stage could have been missed on the scan and know CA125 is not reliable in early stages of Ovarian cancer. 11 months on I am now getting bloating and aching, i am very worried this is a classic case of Ovarian cancer being mistaken for IBS in the absence of obvious TAS finding or elevated CA125.  Waiting 10 days for a scan and longer for results is unbearable.  Any words of advice?

thank you and wishing you a positive day.  Blue

  • Hi there and thanks for your post

    I am sorry to hear about your past history of bladder cancer and the symptoms your are currently experiencing.

    Whilst I can appreciate your concerns, it sounds like the doctor is taking you seriously by carrying out the most appropriate tests to rule out ovarian cancer.

    Blood tests including a ca 125 and ultrasound are the tests needed and having the scan within 2 weeks is pretty quick. If at that point anything untoward is shown up on a test I am sure the doctor will refer you on to a specialist.

    Try not to over think things for now and wait and see what does or doesn't show up on these tests. Symptoms can be caused by lots of different things and in many cases won't be the result of cancer but it is good you are having these tests carried out, just to be on the safe side.

    As and when symptoms are caused by cancer, it would be unusual for nothing to be picked up on a scan. Just because often tumours need to be a reasonable size or pressing on other structures to be causing a person symptoms.

    Waiting is never easy so do keep yourself busy and the mind on other things until you have the scan.

    I hope you know more soon and that everything works out okay for you.

    Take care

    Naomi

  • Thank you so much Naomi.  That sounds sensible and made me feel better.  I find one moment I am perfectly rational and objective and the next moment it all goes out the window but thank you again.   Blue