Ovarian cancer scare

Hi I wasn't told exactly what level just that it was slightly raised. I'm really worried as think pain worse cos on my period but even now I've finished I've for all pain across my upper abdomen, radiating round my back and kind of stitch like side pain. I have read that CA125 test can pick up other cancers and my mom had breast cancer at my age, so scared  

It is of little use as a diagnostic test due to it being affected by many other things, think IBS may be one. How long since blood test and do you know when scan be done, reason I ask is we have a timed pathway for suspected cancer?

I will not tell you not to be scared as I myself have been there. It may help you to know though that I just had op to remove cysts but nothing bad seen even though CA125 test very high and not just slightly raised.

It is no doubt your family history that is making them cautious. Have you had the blood test for the BRCA1 gene which is the marker for a tendancy to breast cancer that runs in families, think this or another test may also screen for ovarian cancer risk.

Wishing I could reach out and hug you

Taz xxx

Hi tax

Had bloods done Thursday last week and doc rang with results yesterday. I rang radiology & they already had referral and said was marked urgent. Soctor said wasn't duly concerned but why mark it urgent 😔 do u mind me asking ur symptoms when u had cyst?

I was told had one on ovaries few years ago but was never checked since. I've had lower pelvix pain, pain down both sides now & backache. Just under my breast bone but like indigestion. So worried that it's all over and not In one spot? 😔 x 

Urgent is recomended in this case and means nothing, procederal only.

My symptoms were constipation and a frequent need to wee,difficulty' period changes - they became longer, heavier and more painful, feeling full quickly so eating less than normal and extreme tiredness, but can also cause the pain you describe, mine was severe pain in my lower back.

Because of the nervous system pain can be in many places and because ovarian cysts often press on surronding structures and nerves pain all over and not in one spot is the norm rather than the exception.Many cyst though do not have symptoms and are picked up by accident when scan done for another reason. Mine found in 2011 but ignored, then got symptoms this year so referred and op done.

 

That's a long time inbetween isn't it. Think I was told cyst on ovary bout 3-4 years ago. Who knows mayb it's got bigger? It's the persistent stomach ache and now back pain I'm having. I kind of feel heavy below at times and the psin across my upper abdomen is horrible 😔

The GP at the time was old school and as it is common saw no need to refer even though it was recommended,(virtually all women who are menstrating get one at some time in their life, I still was, and 1 in  5 menopausal women get one). They had retired and a locum picked up on it.

Some women say feel or look pregnant, others complain of dragging, fullness,bloating and indegestion, breathlessness, pelvic pain, etc as can press on the stomach, bowel, diaphram etc

 

Yes been bit breathless too but I put it down to reflux? To b honest I've been treated for reflux, suggested possibl IBS and anxiety! I'm not an anxious person but have not felt right since having a nasty viral infection back in feb. Just feel rubbish all the time and nothing has made me feel any better. Jut changed reflux tabs but dnt thk working still. Yes tum is bloated. Pain also between shoulder blades now but as u say if it is cyst and pressing on somethg it could b nerve related? Let's hope so 😔 thanku for all your support. I have good this forum really helpful and reassuring 😊

Could be nerve related as one of the nerves for the shoulder blades and also for the top of the shoulder passes through this area. This is the reason that women who have an operation in this area often have shoulder pain. I didn't before but after the nerve was irritated for about 12hrs before it settled.

Big hug xxx

Ah thanku. It does help. It's funny because I've read about ppl with these symptoms and 2 have said it turned out to b IBS! Which docs have told me in the past I mayb prone to it. I also have reflux so mayb all connected but u can't help but think the worse and having had constant tum pain for I've 2 weeks bothers me. My periods are pretty much regular altho sometimes can go 2 mths without one. Pre-menopause could also b a sign I guess but not having constant tum pain I wouldn't have thgt? 😕

Hi chrissie

Can I just ask oneore question. Did u have a lot of upper abdomen pain, like just below ur breast bone. It's really hurt since last night and pain inbetween shoulder blades says about oesphogal cancer 😳😔

Reflux can do that, get it with the medication I'm on

Thanks tax. Uve wen really helpful. Really appreciate your advice and have made me think rationally! I will await scan and see how it goes 😊 thanku

Hi

Yes I did. I got a really unpleasant pain under my left ribcage and this often spread right round my back, especially if I was on my feet too much. I also suffered from IBS-like attacks when I'd get bad stomach cramps and it felt like my whole system had sort of frozen. These could last days and were only relieved once I'd gone to the loo. In fact that was how this whole cyst thing started for me back in Feb this year, only the pain didn't go away, even when I'd finally been able to go to the loo! I had also been suffering nasty acid reflux for a few years. I have to say (fingers crossed) that both these things have almost entirely disappeared since the op, so I'm hoping it was all to do with the cysyts.

Thanks chrissie. I have got my scan on Saturday and reception said would fax to GP straight away which is good. I'm so worried, I'm feeling breathless now but dnt know if down to worry? Pain wnt go away in upper abdomen, then it's lower back pain, then down sides but only  slightly in pelvic area now since my period stopped. I am thinking if stomach cancer and wen bowel but if it was sinister wouldn't the CA125 levels come out higher? 

They would be very high, as in through the roof.

Panic and worry can lead to your being breathless so try and take a few slow, deep breathes every hour, not too many though as make self lightheaded Breathlesness is self perpetauating for this reason, feel breathless so panic/worry get more breathless so panic/ worry more and so it goes on.

Pain can also cause breathlesness as it is one of the ways the body copes.

Don't panic that faxing it through, only so you need worry for as little time as possible and not anything sinister about it.

Big hug for you and my thoughts remain with you

Taz xxx

Ah thanks taz. I will let you know once I get results. I am going away a weeks unsay so hoping to b more relaxed and able to enjoy my holiday thanku so much xx

Thankyou for sharing about the CA125 but no cancer  - Im in a similar predicament to that at the moment and really needed to hear its not always cancer xxx

It's good to be reassured. I did read that sometimes it can be high and not detect an we but also it my not show it being raised when u do have it?! Many people seem to be saying it's not always an accurate result for certain tests? I nd know but just reason about it. Hopefully will know a bit more after my scan. I hope u get on ok too 😊

Thankyou Lisa. Try and enjoy your holiday xxx

Drs themselves say how innaccurate this test is so I have grave misgivings about women being told the results without a rider to this effect.

Have as good as time on holiday as you can lisa33471. The old adage about a change of scenary being good for us may be corny but it is so often true.

Big hugs

Taz xxx

Ah thanks taz. I am so looking forward to the break. I will let u know once I get the results. Thanks a mill ☺️ Xx