Ovarian Cancer symptoms!

Hi everyone! 

I am a 30 year old woman who has been experiencing the below symptoms for the past 5 months: 

Fatigue, persistent bloating, pelvic cramping, heartburn (this has been a more recent thing), urgent need to urinate (however no pain), bowel changes (I am either constipated or diarrhoea), irregular periods (my periods are becoming later and later every month and have become heavier) and finally weight gain. 

I have been to see my GP previously, who fobbed me off with potentially either thyroid problems or early menopause?!! However, I have seen another GP since who advised my thyroids looked fine but my liver function was heightened (as I’ve had a blood test). She wants me to re-do my liver function and has also scheduled me to go for an US.. which is booked for 17/08/2023. So I’m assuming they will be checking my pelvic area with this scan? I did mention I was advised I had a large cyst whilst pregnant, however, this was 2.5 years ago.. so unsure whether this could be the same cyst or not? 

No real point to this post, I just wanted to air my worries as the closer I am getting to my scan, the more worried I am getting. My belly is so swollen and even moving around, it feels like there is something being crushed in my pelvis. 

Is anyone going through anything similar? Or been through similar symptoms and can talk to me? I don’t want to worry my husband too much, so I haven’t told him the complete extent of my symptoms x

  • Hi vlm_x 

    I just wanted to reach out and offer some support. Although I don't have the same symptoms as you, I am currently awaiting results for ovarian cancer and am a similar age - 32. My only symptom has been changed to periods and bleeding between them too. 

    From talking to others on here and from appointments I've had so far, it is unusual for someone younger to have ovarian cancer. If it is the cyst causing your problems, it is much more likely to be a benign condition.

    In case it help, I'll outline what has happened with my investigations so far...

    Went to GP mid June about the bleeding problems. Had blood tests and was sent for an ultrasound (they did an abdominal one and also transvaginal). I then had a phone call with my GP to say they had found a cyst on the scan and I was being referred on the 2ww pathway. I then saw the doctor at the hospital - he explained I have a large cyst (14cm) and that it was complex. As it is possible it could be cancer I was sent for an MRI and more bloods. My ca125, which is a marker often raised in ovarian cancer, was apparently normal. 

    I've got an appointment tomorrow to discuss the results of these latest bloods and the MRI. 

    Hope that has helped - feel free to message if I can be any help. 

    When is your scan? X

  • Thank you for your response and reaching out.. even though our symptoms are different, it’s nice to speak to someone else about it all! 

    Good luck tomorrow with your appointment about your results, please let me know how you get on! 

    it’s frustrating that the first thing GP’s say is you are too young for cancer because there are so many other people being diagnosed at a “young age”. 

    my scan is on Thursday at 5:25pm x

  • Good luck with the scan is on Thursday.

  • Hi, I'm going through the same although the only symptoms I've got is bloating, went to doctor he did blood test ca125 came back at 47, my ultrasound appointment is on the 24th and appointment to see the gynecologist is on the 25th. 

    Good luck with your scan x 

  • Is that normal for the CA125 blood test? 

    I haven’t had that blood test.. I suppose see what happens with the scan! 

    Thank you! Good luck with your scan and appointment! X

  • Thank you x 

    Normal CA125 is between 0-35 so mine is above normal range. 

  • I went to my GP in June last year with some of the symptoms you describe - bloating, pelvic cramping, indigestion/heartburn, bladder issues (not being able to empty bladder properly) and irregular bleeding (though it was daily for me for 8 weeks). I would like to reassure that although cancer is a possibility its not necessarily the reason for what you are going through - all those symptoms can have other causes.

    In my case the investigations were as follows - ultrasound and hysteroscopy at first appointment with womb biopsies carried out. Findings - multiple cysts on both ovaries, polyps, fibroids and thickened womb lining. Sent for blood tests, CT scan and MRI. Results CA125 normal but CA19.9 raised, cysts assumed benign and biopsies normal.  'Treatment' was to repeat blood tests after 6 weeks and repeat ultrasound (for cysts) in 6 months and 12 months, remove polyps, fit the mirena coil and repeat hysteroscopy/biopsies in 6 months with 2 more normal biopsies required before I could be discharged.

    In the meantime I've had investigations for the CA19.9 as that went up close to 2000 at one stage (normal range is under 35) but nothing sinister found thank goodness.

    Unfortunately the results of my last ultrasound were not as expected and I got called in by the hospital for a hysteroscopy and had more polyps removed and more biopsies done and I'm now back at the waiting for results stage.

    I hope all goes well with your scan on Thursday. You will probably come out of it with just as many questions as answers I'm afraid. Its a bit of a roller coaster ride with lots of waiting for results and anxious times. Good lcuk

  • I had my ultrasound tonight (internal) and they didn’t say too much. 

    The sonographer asked if I have had children (which I have.. a 2.5 year old) and also whether I knew I had a bicornuate uterus (which I know already) and then said I have cysts on my right ovary and then went on to tell the other sonographer a load of numbers (assuming measurements or something?). 

    The only thing that worried me is before I went in, another woman went in before me and then when she come out, her husband asked when she would get the results and she said they had told her 1-2 weeks. When I asked when I will get my results, they said within 5 days?? Am I thinking too much into this? 

    Now just a waiting game I suppose! X

  • I'm glad you've had your ultrasound and it went ok. I wouldn't read anything into how long they said for results - they take as long as it takes and the waiting is horrible. It was just over 4 weeks before I got results from the MDT meeting and all the various tests and scans.

    However, once cysts had been seen on the ultrasound I was told straight away that further imaging would be required and the blood tests. I had my ultrasound on the Saturday and then the blood tests Monday, a phone call on the Tuesday for an MRI the next day and then a letter on the Friday for a CT scan the next week (though CT may have been more for pancreas than ovarian cysts as my Ca19.9 was high). 

    A lot depends on the size, number and nature of the cysts they have found. As I said previously, I had multiple cysts on both ovaries - between 2 and 5.5cm and after all that testing they said they were benign.

    Hopefully they will soon get to the bottom of your issues and you will have a good outcome. Good luck, keep busy