Ovarian cancer?

Offline CassieD 8 days ago

Evening all,

Wondering if anyone is willing to share their story whilst I’m in this wait period. I’m trying hard not to google things - my husband tells me off :-)

I noticed a tiny bit of spotting between periods 18 months ago - had bladder investigations but it wasn’t coming from there and that was the extent of the dr’s concern.

I lost some weight (deliberate) early last year and my holiday snaps look like I’m pregnant. I have bloating that I’ve no idea when started tbh, it doesn’t seem to be getting worse but if it is it’s really slow.

The bleeding between periods has increased a bit and so I went back to the GP who are now concerned as I also have lower left side abdominal pain - more like an ache than pain.

I just thought I’ve had 4 children so my tummy just isn’t flat - but now I’ve no idea if it’s bloated or fat or when it started being bloated. I think I’ve researched way too much into how to work out if you’re bloated . I also have chronic constipation (always) and awful periods (always have) so those kinds of symptoms are my ‘normal’.

Anyway - I thought it sensible to reach out here where people have experiences in an attempt to calm my nerves. I’ve read some threads which have been helpful - so thanks to all that post.

I’m seeing a specialist gynaecologist on Thursday and my GP has ordered bloods and an internal ultrasound.

Thank you for reading, I know symptoms are different for everyone. But I’d be grateful for anyone who feels able to share their story.

Offline Moderator Lucie 6 days ago

Hi CassieD,

Your husband is right ;) it's best not to google things as it tends to send us in a real spiral of anxiety for no good reason without providing any reliable answers. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck for your gynaecology appointment tomorrow - I am keeping everything crossed for you and I hope that you will be soon getting a bit more clarity as to what is causing these symptoms.

It's good that you went back to the GP and that they are being thorough in their investigations and have ordered bloods and an internal ultrasound. It's all a bit of a waiting game now and that can be the hardest time for you as so many of our members will have also experienced before. I am glad that you have found threads on this forum which you have found helpful and hopefully you will hear from other members of our community who have had similar investigations before. Try if you can not to anticipate what it might be as there can be so many different explanations for your symptoms which have nothing to do with ovarian cancer.

While you are waiting, I thought I would also share with you our helpful tips on how to cope while waiting for important news.

I hope that you will find out more very soon and get some answers and that it will all turn out to be nothing of concern.

Best wishes,

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator
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Offline jazzle 2 days ago

I have tried to copy and paste details of my experience for your info hope it helps (if it works).

Slightly different circumstances . I was rushed into hospital a few years ago as an emergency with excruciating pelvic pain misdiagnosed and sent home . Trying to make along story short . I was then contacted to return to hospital for a ct scan or mri can’t remember which and kept in hospital. Apparently should not of been sent home . After a difficult time in hospital after a week transferred to another hospital caught Covid during 2022 covid was still about sent home again to be treated as an out patient, (not happy) I think what I’m trying to say is out patient appointment was when I was told I had a ca125 level of 161 and a large ovarian mass . Surgery was needed as a matter of urgency as the mass was large and cutting off my blood supply . Surgery eventually completed with mass removed and full hysterectomy. The mass was a large ovarian fibroma 14-11-7cm and benign . I never understood the ca125 thing being so high but thankful for a good outcome .

It was not a very nice experience in hospital . I was transferred to another hospital with more gynae options but when transferred caught Covid so it was almost as if can’t do much because of the Covid . I attended the outpatient appointment and fortunately saw a fabulous consultant who explained everything to me (which was not done in hospital) . The priority was me and although the wait for surgery was a long one nothing was going to delay it any longer. In fact the surgery was bought forward as my sister paid for me to go private even then the hospital was concerned due to having had Covid but the consultant wasn’t having any of it and surgery went ahead even sooner .

I didn't realise I had symptoms it was a hindsight thing . I was dieting and losing weight but my clothes were still very tight . I could not stand wearing my bra as I felt bloated and uncomfortable (apparently this was the mass pressing on my other organs causing discomfort) . It was not until I had the excruciating pain in my left side pelvic area and was blue lighted to hospital that I felt really concerned. I have never had children and my periods had stopped long time ago similar to you though my bowel movements were erratic mostly constipated .

I think you have done the best thing by arranging to see a gynaecologist and your gp . I just thought what I was going through was me getting older and just being somewhat unfit . I get where your husband is coming from with the google thing (I did it still do) but just coz you see or read something not good it does not mean it is going to happen to you . Sorry for a long post but this is a good forum and I am actually on it because I have unrelated precancerous cells of the vulva VIN3 . People have been extremely helpful sharing their experiences with me . Hope the appointments go well for you , take care ….xx
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