Hello all. Very sorry to hear about your diagnosis but my wife was given the horror of having a stage 3 ovarian cancer diagnosis back in March 2024 and do hope that all of your treatments are going according to plan with successful outcomes (these oncology doctors are performing miracles). Fortunately, the chemo drugs (Taxol and Carboplatin) had inactivated all the identified masses and most of it had gone after 3 rounds. She also had immunotherapy drug (Avastin aka Bevacizumab) which she has got to take until March next year but did not have surgery. Her CA125 levels have remained at 9 and all the previous symptoms disappeared after 2 rounds. I remain hopeful that she has seen off the threat although the doctor had advised of an incurable but reassured her that there are about 30 different drugs to treat and prevent from returning. Unfortunately, her mental health has not been good recently and thinks she should had picked up early stage symptoms at the end of 2023.

Glad to hear it nd good luck my head is toasted with this

Hello Helen, can I ask what symptoms you had, I am 57 yrs old post menopausal and been taking Tamoxifen since 2022 for Breast Cancer and have had some bleeding, pale in colour and not much apart from one gush in particular that made me contact my dr.  I am now on the 2WW again and go this Wednesday to have scan and speak with a specialist.  Thank you Helen F (Bisc).

Hi all, I can’t believe how much it has helped reading the posts on this site. I would not wish what Im going through on any other person but at the same time it is comforting to know Im not alone and the anxiety Im feeling is normal. I have recently been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, have had a full hysterectomy and due to start chemo, have an appt with the Oncology Consultant tomorrow to discuss the plan but sounds as though it will be 6 rounds of 2 different chemo drugs initially. Terrified of the chemo!

Helen - I had 3 bleeds within the space of about 9 weeks and on the third bleed contacted my GP. I had foolishly put my other symptoms - bloating, discomfort, frequent urination - down to menopause over the past 9 months. It was the bleeding that prompted my GP appt and within 2 days I had an ultrasound scan followed by a 2ww Gynae referral. The Gynae Consultant basically told me its the bleeding that has enabled an early diagnosis.

I hope its not what you are fearing but its good that you are being investigated quickly.

Every day feels like a week when you are waiting doesnt it, its torture.

Hi I am round 5 of 6 next week it is two chemo I have been fine with it apart from not sleeping with the steroids for 3 days after you will be fine xxx

Hello there. Depending on what type of cancer was found, they will probably give you Taxol and Carboplatin (the first kills the nuclei of the cancer cells which stops them dividing and the second destroys that DNA that forms the cancer cells in the first place) just like my wife had earlier this year. If you had raised CA125 levels then they will use that to monitor the treatment during chemo. They may also give you Avastin (an immunotherapy drug during and after the chemo phase or straight after chemo has ended, this one blocks a protein that allows any remnant cancer cells to stop forming new blood vessels and also enhances the effects of the chemo). I would suggest that you try the cold cap which reduces (or even stops hair loss on the scalp) if you can tolerate it. Good luck!

Thank you for replying, I wish you luck with the treatment you are having.

i just want to know, I was hoping that I have my scan and then appointment straight after with the specialist that they will be able to give me a diagnosis.  This happened with my breast cancer.

as you know it’s the not knowing and yes the waiting is torture. 

Thank you Helen F, Helen 5769 and cjb2 for your replies, all so helpful and reassuring. Amazing that strangers can help each other through tough times. Its so good chatting with people that really understand.

Take care and keep us posted.

Helen F