calm my fears

armytwin
armytwin Member Posts: 3
edited December 2013 in Ovarian Cancer #1

I got my results yesterday from my transvaginal ultrasound and am a very worried.  I have been referred to an OB/GYN for the next steps.  The nurse said "I don't want to scare you but your endometrio lining is thickened which could mean you have endometriosis.  You also have cysts on your ovaries oh and you probably already knew you had fibroids in your uterus."  Needless to say I was floored by the news.

Should I worry.  My grandmother died of ovarian cancer 30 days after undergoing a double mastectomy at the age of 35.  I am now 45.

Thanks

 

Comments

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    #2
    You should not worry

    But you definitely should follow up with OB/GYN. He will probably tell you to repeat TV ultrasound in 3 months.

    Pay attention to your body, especially if you have symptoms like:

    • Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
    • Pelvic discomfort or pain
    • Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
    • Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
    • Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
    • Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
    • Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist
    • A persistent lack of energy
    • Low back pain

    If you have persistent symptoms, the tests to diagnose ovarian cancer are: abdominal / pelvic CT scan and CA125 blood test. For many women it is found as a result of routine hysterectomy or another abdominal surgery.

    Ovarian cancer is rare in general population. Only 10% of all ovarian cancers are hereditary. Just because your grandmother had both breast and ovarian cancer at young age, does not mean that you inherited it. Even IF her cancer was hereditary, there is only 25% chance of her passing defective BRCA gene on to you. If you have the means or your insurance covers BRCA testing, I would go see a genetic counselor and get tested just to be proactive about the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

    Good luck to you Armytwin

  • armytwin
    armytwin Member Posts: 3
    #3
    Alexandra said:

    You should not worry

    But you definitely should follow up with OB/GYN. He will probably tell you to repeat TV ultrasound in 3 months.

    Pay attention to your body, especially if you have symptoms like:

    • Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
    • Pelvic discomfort or pain
    • Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
    • Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
    • Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
    • Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
    • Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist
    • A persistent lack of energy
    • Low back pain

    If you have persistent symptoms, the tests to diagnose ovarian cancer are: abdominal / pelvic CT scan and CA125 blood test. For many women it is found as a result of routine hysterectomy or another abdominal surgery.

    Ovarian cancer is rare in general population. Only 10% of all ovarian cancers are hereditary. Just because your grandmother had both breast and ovarian cancer at young age, does not mean that you inherited it. Even IF her cancer was hereditary, there is only 25% chance of her passing defective BRCA gene on to you. If you have the means or your insurance covers BRCA testing, I would go see a genetic counselor and get tested just to be proactive about the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

    Good luck to you Armytwin

    thanks

    thank you so much for responding to my post.  My transvaginal ultrasound was incredibly painful on my right side.  The rest of the day was incredibly painful.  Still painful but not as much today.  Honestly with my issues I thought I was just thinking it was a sign that menopause would be coming in a few years.  My periods are irregular and I sometimes bleed when I should be ovulating.  The flow is VERY heavy.  I experience pain whenever I have sex with my husband too.  I go through the VA for all my health care.  They have put in a referral for an OB/GYN.  Now I just have to wait for them to call me. 

  • scatsm
    scatsm Member Posts: 296 Member
    #4
    Hang in there Armytwin

    The hardest thing to do is the thing we all strive to do...live in today and try not to project too far in the future, while at the same time being as pro active as we can be! 

    Hopefully, you will not have ovarian cancer, but if you do, this is a wonderful community of women who have been there, done that.

    Sending you healing vibes. Let us know what you find out.

    All the best,

    Susan

  • armytwin
    armytwin Member Posts: 3
    #5
    scatsm said:

    Hang in there Armytwin

    The hardest thing to do is the thing we all strive to do...live in today and try not to project too far in the future, while at the same time being as pro active as we can be! 

    Hopefully, you will not have ovarian cancer, but if you do, this is a wonderful community of women who have been there, done that.

    Sending you healing vibes. Let us know what you find out.

    All the best,

    Susan

    Thanks again

    I know I think too much.  Same thing when almost every other year when they find lumps in my breast and I have to go thru a lumpectomy.  Seems like no matter how many times I have to go thru it deep down I'm still worried.

    Thank you for your support and I will definatley post what I find out

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