I’m 21 years old (22 in June) and I’m just a little worried. I know if we have any concerns we should contact our doctor, but due to the (understandable) waiting times due to covid - I wanted to come on here and chat first. I know it happens to younger women like myself BUT I also know it’s uncommon and I have severe health anxiety (due to family history of other cancers such as melanoma - but not breast or ovarian) so saw your support line and wondered if it was okay to just clarify something, as I have a few questions about what the symptoms actually are like. Sorry if this isn’t the right place to turn to - I don’t mean to be a bother. 

I’ve had a mild pain in my left side, underneath my rib cage on and off for a few years tbh - as long as I can recall. It usually comes when I’m stressed or anxious (like writing my dissertation just now) and fades after a few weeks. It isn’t super painful but it’s enough to take painkillers for some days. I’ve also had some lower back pain recently and this was how I stumbled across ovarian cancer in the first place! I had no idea that could be a symptom. However, logically I figured the back pain (considering it is also often  in my upper back) is likely due to constantly working from home, at a desk, bad posture and not exercising as much - the one walk a day isn’t quite the same! But then, I read how easy it is for women to dismiss serious symptoms and panicked a little. I’ve also had cramp like pains but they’re very mild in my pelvis - and I have had that before sometimes for a day or two post period. However, all these symptoms combined when I stumbled across your page really gave me quite a fright. 

I was just wondering, when they mention things like abdominal pain, is it usually noticeable to be painful and does it last persistently (ie: noticeable all day, every day)? I don’t have bloating at all which appears to be one of the key features. Does the back pain go away with heat and come back when you sit in a maybe strange position? I’m just a little worried but with health anxiety it’s hard to “trust your gut” when your gut is nearly always convinced it’s serious - but the symptoms of OC being so vague mean Ida always a bit scarier. I’ve definitely got myself in a bit of a state and I’m sorry again if this is the wrong place, or this doesn’t make a lot of sense! I appreciate you taking the time to read through and hope you are all taking care. 

Thanks again