I went to the GP a few weeks ago with sharp stabbing pains in my lower right hand side, bloating, constipation, difficulty urinating and bleeding during sex. GP made an urgent referral to a gynaecologist. The gynaecologist requested an urgent ultrasound which was done a week or two ago. The secretary called yesterday saying that the consultant has looked at the results of my scan and wants me to have a CA125 blood test before seeing me to talk about next steps.
I had stage 2/3 grade 3 breast cancer which had spread to lymph nodes when I was 34 and finished treatment just under two years ago. I had assumed that this new pain was an ovarian cyst. I take tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer recurrence, but have to have breaks from it, because I don't tolerate side effects very well. I am currently on a break from it. Tamoxifen is known to cause ovarian cysts in premenopausal women.
The order of these things seems really odd compared to what I am reading online. Do most people have a blood test through their GP and then a scan? Am I correct in thinking this means some sort of mass was seen on my ultrasound? Or would they do this blood test if my scan was clear?
I had genetic testing at the beginning of my breast cancer treatment and it all came back negative, so there shouldn't be any link between my breast cancer and ovarian cancer. I am worried and confused. Also worried that my breast cancer has recurred and somehow immediately spread to my ovaries, though I know this is an unlikely scenario.
Hi Originalwerther
I am sorry to hear that you have had some symptoms that need further investigation. I understand that this can be worrying given your previous breast cancer.
Where there are symptoms that could possibly be caused by a gynaecological cancer it is normal to get an urgent referral. The purpose is to hopefully rule out any potential serious cause. My own cancer was endometrial and I had my scans done first. My blood tests were done by a different person at a different time. CA125 is a useful marker that is routinely checked where there are concerning symptoms. CA125 does not itself diagnose or rule out cancer but it is normally checked where there are symptoms. It sounds as if the consultant is being thorough in getting all the testing done before they see you. If the CA125 comes back as raised then that could mean that further testing would be advisable.
Jane
