Told no cancer but questions about Postmenopausal women

Pamela, you have every right to be concerned based on you and your family history and you should not feel silly about getting tested for the possibility of cancer.  Please do not beat yourself up.

Your breast cancer was 11 years ago so unless you are running to the doctor for every little "funny" feeling, if your body is talking to you, you are right to listen.  Ovarian cancer is such a silent cancer so if something doesn't feel right keep following up. 

Did you post this over on the Ovarian board?  That is one active board and a lot of knowledgeable women who can give you lots of guidance when it gets to the world of ovaries.

BTW, I had a D&C before my diagnosis and I had a brownish, clumpy (sorry!) discharge.  I can't remember how long it lasted, but we are all different and the nurse at the office should be able to help.

I was doing laundry this morning and just thinking how I should throw out all my underwear and splurge on all new panties! 

Pamela A. said:

Thank you!

I decided to just ignore the bleeding.  I think I just had a moment of weakness and I got scared.  I am sure the doctor is right, a benign condition is causing this.  I and going to focus on other things and try to forget all this ever happened.  I think maybe because I lost a lot of weight (slowly over the past year via diet and exercise) that maybe estrogen released from those fat cells as they shrank might have something to do with it.  I never took any hormonal therapy after my breast cancer because those drugs scare me and my cancer was not one of the aggressive types.

Thank you for your response and kind words, that was greatly appreciated!

I am a massage therapist and I work in a Women's Health Clinic.  The two female doctor's have always told me that postmenopausal women shouldn't be bleeding vaginally.  Don't want to alarm you but you need to get to the bottom of the bleeding.   The doctor's have told me that too many think it's no big deal and don't get it checked out and then, that's when statistics go up.  Please don't stop trying to find an answer.   Never feel foolish.  Will pray for you for wisdom and answers.

Jeanette

Double Whammy said:

No man's land

It must feel like that's where you are right now.  While I am of the mindset to not go looking for trouble, those of us on this board have found it nonetheless.  Of course, you're worried having been through cancer treatments once already.    I'm also a breast cancer survivor, having had both endometrial and breast cancer.  I just had them at the same time.  I was told a lot of the risk factors for having both cancers are the same, and it is not unusual for someone to have both over the course of her lifetime.  I don't know if you should still be bleeding or not, but  it sure wouldn't hurt to make a phone call to the gyn office and report it and be reassured.   I bled after my endometrial biopsy a lot for several days following that procedure, but did not have a D & C.  I don't know what is typical after a D & C at age 60.   I think we've all learned here to listen to our bodies and  it's so much better to feel a little silly than feel  stupid for ignoring something.     In any case,  if in a reasonable amount of time (that might be now)  this doesn't get better and you're not satisfied with the reassurance from your gyn, by alll means seek a second opinoin.  We usually know when something isn't right with us and it's perfectly fine to continue to look for answers.  Best of luck to you. 

Suzanne

I echo what the other ladies have said concerning post menopausal vaginal bleeding. That was my only symptom, and although I tried to dismiss it for a couple of weeks, I couldn't ignore it after that. 

I'm so glad I had it checked out, because very often that's the only symptom you may have that cancer is present. 

Please make sure you are checked out by a gynecological oncologist. They're the experts who will know exactly what tests you may need to be checked out accurately. 

BTW, I'm also a two time cancer survivor having had two unrelated primary cancers. Unfortunately, this happens to some of us. I'm sure hoping this is not the case for you, but it makes sense to have it checked out. You are NOT just being paranoid.  

Best wishes to you!