Hi, I’m 22 and I’ve recently been diagnosed with a 13cm cyst on my right ovary. I experience all the symptoms you’ve described, and more. They misdiagnosed me at first with an aggravated appendix and then speculated about IBS etc. so it seems possible to me that you could have an ovarian cyst.

I would advise looking into the symptoms and if you feel they fit pushing to have either an ultrasound or an MRI scan. They first found my cyst through ultrasound and immediately after my follow-up appointment (though they kept me waiting for that) they sent me to have bloods taken to test for cancer. 

Most ovarian cysts in people our age are benign however if they find that it is cancerous they will put you onto the urgent waiting list for surgery to have it removed ASAP. 

I can’t understand why they would mention cancer, scare and stress you out, and then say you need to wait to have the test. As soon as cancer was mentioned to me they tested for it. Why they would need to wait for the results of your gluten test first doesn’t make sense - if there is a risk of cancer that should come first. And surely the lack of gluten in your body wouldn’t stop them from finding cancer?

I’ve had no results back from my blood test which is usually a good sign but I was menstruating at the time so I’m slightly more worried again as I was not told that information. 

Sorry for the long post. I really hope everything goes okay for you and if it is the worst try not to worry too much (easier said than done I know) as they can treat it. A friend of mine, the same age as me, did have ovarian cancer - about 2 years ago - and she is all clear now and 8 months pregnant so there’s always hope.

Hiya,

Sorry to hear you've been unwell too. I think one of the reasons the doctor isn't being too urgent is that my symptoms are dietary-triggered (e.g. the bloating isn't persistent, it goes down after going to the loo and is brought on by meals). That said, it does feel extremely unfair to be asked to wait so long in the dark re. testing.

How did your doctor decide to get you to a scan in the first instance? I'd love to just have a scan asap and do the bloods after! I'm wondering if I can go to my urgent care department and ask them to do an ultrasound...

In terms of the blood work, my doctor didn't say anything about doing the CA-125 while menstruating but I did read up on that online. Perhaps it doesn't elevate the levels so much that it becomes unreliable? Not sure... 

Do let me know how you get on. 

Hello,

I'm a bit late to the party with my response, but I do hope everyhing has worked out well for you.

Although ovarian cancer is highly unlikley to affect woman under 40, it does happen. I was 22 when diagnosed in late 1999. I had no symptoms apart from an inbetween bleed which I mentioned to a nurse during a contraceptive pill review at a local Family Planning Clinic. The nusre offered to perform a pelvic exam to 'put my mind at rest'. I agreed and was stunned when she said I needed an emergency ulrasound the following day as she believed I was approx 5-6 months pregnant. 

The scan reveled a large ovarian cyst - 16 inches (the size and shape of a rugby ball!). I've always struggled with my weight so it was very well hidden under my extra pounds, I think I was a UK size 14 at the time. 

I had the cyst removed along with my right ovary and fallopian tube via open surgery the following week. I'm now the proud owner of a large scar that runs from my navel to my pubic bone. 

Much to the surprise of my consultant, the routine biopsy came back positive for cancer. I was told at the time of my diaognosis that I was the youngest person in the UK to have ovarian cancer. I was incredibly lucky, the cancer was contained inside the cyst, so when the cyst was removed, all of the cancer went with it - I didn't need chemo or radiotherpy but I was very, very closely monitored over the next 15 years. I was finally discharged from the care of my Gynae Professor aged 37.

Kathy xx