Please can you share your symptoms before diagnosis

I had several days of heavy bleeding in 2011 after going through the menopause years earlier. My GP put me on the two week pathway and I had an internal scan. The radiographer said that I was packed with fibroids but everything was okay. In may I was in horrendous pain in my back and stomach. I spoke to my GP who said that it could be another case of pancreatitis and sent me to A and E. They thought it was a kidney stone as there was blood in my urine, sent me home but told me to return if it got worse. It did and I went back the next day. I went to the loo and when I wiped there was some pale pink mucus on the paper. I didn't have any other spotting. This time they thought it was appendicitis and sent me for a CT scan at 2 am. I was on morphine for the pain and the doctor woke me up to say that there was a mass on my uterus and sent me straight to the gynae ward. I saw the gynaecologist a few hours later who examined me and took a biopsy. She said that I probably had endometrial cancer. I had chest x-rays and an MRI. They had a MDT meeting with the Christie hospital and decided it was a cancerous fibroid. I had an open total hysterectomy including my ovaries and fallopian tubes. The gynaecologist came to see me and said that there was no cancer! For 10 days I thought that I was in the clear then the specialist gynae nurse rang me to tell me that I had leiomyosarcoma and I was being referred to the Christie hospital. 

I think you should ring your GP tomorrow and insist on either speaking to the doctor or actually seeing the doctor. This is important, you shouldn't be waiting for an appointment. You need to be put on the two week cancer pathway immediately. It's ridiculous that you can't get an appointment with your GP. Keep us posted and be insistent with the doctors receptionist. Deb

Hi Toammie,

Sorry to see you here. I had a spot of mucus tinged with blood, then 3 weeks later a smear of blood. As I was well past menopause I went straight to the doctors.(Pre Covid) It could be a hormone imbalance. I started the menopause by missing a period, age 47, then never knew where I was after that! Either way, you need to be checked. Recently I found the only way to speak to a doctor is to ring as soon as they open, and hang on the line for as long as half an hour, or more. If you leave it until later, all the slots have gone. Its a dreadful situation, but persevere. xxxxx

Hi NannyAnny,

Thank you for your reply, yes I’m praying it’s a hormone imbalance and possibly just the start of the menopause. Surely lightening won’t strike twice for me  I did exactly what you have mentioned, I called my Doctors at 8am this morning I spoke to the receptionist at 8.25 and booked in to see a Doctor on Thursday, afternoon  which I’m thinking by then the swabs results maybe back which the Nurse took yesterday for infection I think? xx

Sounds like a good plan, initially. xxxx

glad to hear youre seeing a gp toammie. i think peoples experience when it comes to symptoms with cancer vary quite a lot. but peri menopausal plays havoc with your cycle fingers crossed its just that.

Hi and welcome to our spot in the Online Community. I know what you mean when you say we overthink everything once you've had a cancer diagnosis. However I've found my GP practice has been brilliant getting me in for face to face consults, referring me for Xrays and further tests. 

I was several years post menopause when I noticed pink mucous like spotting on my undies a couple of days apart. I wasn't going to bother my GP as I no pain or bloating. My bestie nagged me & I called my GP who immediately, without examination, put me on the 2 ww pathway. 

Smear tests don't show up Endometrial cancer apparently so I'd push your CNS to arrange a Ultrasound as that'll show a thickening of the womb.

It’s always helpful to others if you write a little something (or a lot) about yourself and your journey to date. You can enter it into your profile (click on your username and select “Profile”) It’s helpful to other members with a similar diagnosis who can then hopefully answer your questions. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. You can amend or update it at any time. If you’re not sure what to write, just click on my username.

If you want to ask any of us any questions please come back and do so. There's always someone around and we can offer a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold or listen to a rant, we’re here for you.

It might also be a good idea to download this booklet Understanding Womb (Endometrial) Cancer. I found it invaluable on my journey. 

Click on the link I’ve created to find out more information covering diagnosis and treatments for Womb cancer.

Sending you welcoming hugs, B xx