Ovarian Cancer - What you need to know

[Floweryfields]

See, it's all great that we are aware of the symptoms of oc and how to be proactive, but the medical profession needs to listen to women as well! I had all the symptoms you list recently, went to gp - saw a female doctor - I asked could it possibly be oc. She really wasn't that concerned, rather blase about it, gave me a referall to get and ultrasound when I asked for one, but wasn't at all insistent that I go and get it done soon. Actually it was at the same time that you posted about your scare and being sent for a MRI - I was suprised at that was never even suggested by my doctor. Just find it quite frustrating really....


In the end nothing abnormal was dectected at the US - BUT there was the chance that it could've been different and all the advertising campaigns, etc in the world are not going to help if you feel like a right dill when you do go to the doctor.

PS Glad your outcome was good!

[M22]

I have all the symptosm inculding inc freg for urine, my dr gave me tests adn ultrasound and all clear I only had a lap 6 in april last year..

still seeing ob in 3 weeeks but pretty sure he will tell me nothing!!

[Miss_Dee]

Scary! I have all those symptoms which started a few days ago. Will keep an eye on it and speak to my doctor if things haven't changed when I see her. I had just put it down to stress and not eating properly, but who knows.

[briggsy's girl]

See, it's all great that we are aware of the symptoms of oc and how to be proactive, but the medical profession needs to listen to women as well!

This is so true!! i've had to seriously fight to be heard over issues with bleeding, fatigue, and a whole list of things - the doctor pretty much said stop breastfeeding, it will fix everything. i had to request blood tests, i had to request ultrasound, i had to request referral to gyne. yeah, i know places with specialists have waiting lists and are hard to get into, and maybe GP's are trying to weed out the "non-pressing" cases - but at some point, they have to respect that we live in these bodies, we know that things aren't right. and even if it's normal, it's better to rule out anything properly rather than dismiss a potentially deadly problem!!

N2L - glad you got the all clear hun

[nothing2lose]

[StrawberryMumma]

Thanks for posting N2L.
Would you be willing to share your story hun?

[nothing2lose]

Sure...I didn't/don't have any symptoms. My scare was purely due to blood test results....

Following three BFNs after IVF transfers this year (as well as a cancelled cycle), my FS ordered blood tests for me and DP to check for chromosomal and other disorders. She also re-did FSH, glucose, thyroid, etc, as well as my CA125 levels.

CA125 stands for Cancer Antigen 125 which is a tumour marker for ovarian cancer. It measures a protein in your blood which, when normal is below 35.

A few years ago, when I first had this tested by my GP due to family history, my levels were 69. Everyone freaked out (me included) and I was referred to a gynae oncologist at the Royal Women's here in Melbourne. I had scans and tests and it was revealed I have adenomyosis (similar to endometriosis but your endometrium invades the muscle wall). That also can account for evelated CA125 levels.

Anyhoo, it is something I have to have tested periodically (six monthly or so) and the highest it has ever been is about 150 (a year ago when I started AC).
Cut to the recent test and it came back as 739 !!!!

The scary thing about this is that 739 is the sort of level that women with stage 3 or 4 ovarian cancer have. It is extremely unusual to be that high due to anything but OC. My FS ordered an immediate MRI and had the results cc-ed to an ovarian cancer specialist at the Women's. In the meantime, I spent the week crying, thinking at the very least I would have to have a hysterectomy , chemo and radiation.

I still don't know what has caused the high CA125 levels as the email from my specialist last night only said "no evidence of sinister pathology". I have an appointment with her on Wednesday to find out more.

So, while ovarian cancer is something I have thought about quite a bit over the past couple of years, this week has really brought it to my attention in a big way.

It really is a horrible disease, and one which we all need to be more aware of IMO.

Thanks for listening x