Ovarian cancer worries

Hi there,

I'll try to keep this brief and easy to understand. I'm a 34 year old woman who has had left sided pelvic and back pain for about 18 months. Earlier this year they found a 3cm cyst on my left ovary with a vaginal ultrasound. They re-scanned it a few months later but this time just did a ultrasound over my belly, not internally. The technician remarked that it had resolved itself and dissappeared, but I noticed in my notes that it was not stated why the second follow up ultrasound was not also internal (and I didn't want to sound strange by demanding one at the time!). I don't think my GP knows this. Is it possible to miss a cyst on a normal ultrasound without the internal wand? Since then I still have problems with my lower back and hip/general pelvis area. All on my left side. I see an Osteopath who can feel a lot of muscle tension in that area which reassures me that it's hopefully some sort of muscularskelotal niggle. However, I've also had problems with my periods (irregular and long) and now just the last few days I've noticed a swollen lymph node in my groin, again on that side. I'm yet to see my GP about the lymph node (difficult to get appointments atm ofc) but I'm really a bit worried about it, now. I have terrible health anxiety and once I latch on to something, I can't let it go and quickly doom spiral. I should also point out that I had the CA test and it was normal back earlier this year. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. I'm hoping to get in with the GP this week for an emergency phone consult. 

  • Hi!  Gosh, you sound like me.  Seriously, your post was like looking in a mirror, and I entirely sympathise. 

    First thing, I would never consider anyone to be "strange" for requesting deeper tests, especially if the precedent had already been set by the previous examination.  In my experience, it's easy for a sonographer to do external and internal at the same appointment, so I would definitely raise that with your GP I think. 

    I don't want to seem like I'm diagnosing you here btw, but two other thoughts occured reading your post, especially when you say your periods are irregular.  Have you ever been investigating for PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)?  Now, you may well not have it, esp if you have only had the one cyst.  However it might still be worth raising with your GP.  I have PCOS and I have terribly irregular periods, as well as ovarian cysts.  It can also play havoc with your hormones too which is always a joy!

    Re: the lymph node - have you had the Covid vaccine very recently?  I only wonder because swollen lymph nodes are a very common side effect, esp with Pfizer.  

    Bottom line, your GP is there for you to raise your concerns with.  If there's anything I've learned in my own medical minefield of a journey, you have to become your own health advocate.  Please never worry about seeming demanding or strange - you know your own body best.  I would be a massive hypocrite if I told you you shouldn't Google symptoms or worry excessively, because boy I know how hard a reflex that is to overcome.  But it's great that you're trying to get in with your GP this week.  

    Keep us posted and sending you socially distanced hugs.