How long until surgery for ovarian cancer?

I have a friend who told me she has ovarian cancer over three months ago. I asked was it really cancer or suspected and she said it was cancer.
I know she has at least a cancer scare and that is really scary enough. But I am wondering why three months have passed and still she has not had surgery for it? Could it be that she has precancerous cells and that is why there is no rush to remove it?
Just very confused by this.

[nyc lady]

The only definite way to diagnosis Ovarian Cancer is through a biopsy of the mass.  There are signs and signals that would lead a doctor to believe that someone has Ovarian Cancer, but, again, nothing is definitive until the final biopsy results are in.  

I know that my doctor would not wait 3 months if he suspected someone has OvCa.  I have a history of early stage OvCa and still had one ovary.  When I developed a mass on that ovary, the GYN/ONC wanted the ovary and the mass out.  This was the 4th week in April.  I wanted to wait until after mothers day ( 2 weeks)...he agreed....it was done the day after....but, I have heard of stories where women have waited a long time for surgery.

Has she had any kind of follow up visits in this 3 month period?  If Ovarian Cancer is truly suspected, please urge your friend to see a Gyn/Oncologist and NOW.

[Tybear]

I think your friend must be confused. A (good) Dr would never diagnose Ovarian Cancer until a pathology report was in their hands. Surgery is really the only true way to diagnose it - I had several biposy's done and was told I did not have cancer, when in fact, I did. I was not diagnosed until after my surgery. If your friends Dr truly suspected she had ovarian cancer and has waited 3 months to do something about it, I would tell her to run, don't walk, away from that Dr. Tell her to go see a gyne/onc and get a second opinion.
Becky

[Caretaker76]

Thank you. I told her it was a big deal for me if someone tells me they have cancer when in fact they are not sure. I have had three family members do that to me over the years and it created an enormous amount of unneeded stress.

I feel better now. She was worrying me more than she should have. She sees her doctor every few weeks. I think shes never had to deal with any health issue until late last year so in her eyes it's probably overwhelming her.

[baguba]

Is it me or do we have to do battle with the  medical profession to get an answer that is our right to have, and something they are legally bound to tell us?  I have read so many posts that make me so sad to think that a doctor did not take someone's symptoms seriously, or put someone off for a while to "see what happens".  I once heard someone say, "I just have a little bit of cancer".  What the hell does that mean?  That's like telling someone she's a little bit pregnant......it's either one way or the other......I agree with Tybear....RUN don't walk away from professionals who toy with our health issues.  No one wants to hear that he/she has cancer.  But catching it early, as we all know, is imperative.  I have learned (and it is totally NOT my personality) to lie and "fake an ache" to get a CT scan done, if no one will listen to me.  I watched my CA 125 double (afer a close to 5 year remission); and, after panicking begged my onocologist (at the time) for a retake of the test.  She said, "Sure, in 3 months".  By the time those 3 months had passed I had major surgery to remove three new small implants, and by the time by "blood test" would have been re-checked, I was entering my third round of chemo (with a new oncologsit).  Advocate for yourselves.....stretch the truth ONLY if it is a means to an ends to get mental/physical resolve for something that you KNOW is wrong.  It's our moeny, our insurance, but most importantly of all, it's OUR LIFE.........let's be able to live it out knowing that WE did everything we could to catch something evil before it festers......God Bless all of us who battle any type of health issue; but God Bless most of all, the amazing women on this site who are an inspiration to everyone!

[Caretaker76]

Now this is what has me concerned about her.
My friend is going about her life. She did have a small outpatient surgery and I am told there are more surgeries to come. But none anytime soon.
Just do not understand the disconnect between my friend's continual panic since this started and the months that have gone by and still no hysterectomy.
I'm hoping that they determined what she had was not as bad as first thought and my friend is not telling anyone. It makes no sense to me.
I have known five people with suspected cancer and the surgeries and chemo were started in days or weeks. Not months.

[SimplyStar]

I have found that new interns and residents are not being taught anything but the basics.  Offer to talk to them at the university hospitals where they train. When you present yourselves in an ER or a GP office, they for the most part do not connect with Ovarian Cancer. 22,000 women a year is not a huge portion of the population. But to those with the diagnosis , time is the most important thing. There has been too much advertizment about IBS, RLS, etc. Those symptoms too often cover up the real problem. To be pro active, means to those of us affected with this "problem", we need to talk to every one and educate them.  I have written to all my reps in Washington. I am trying to get a dialog started now with the medical boards at the local hospitals. My daughter will be going with me soon to present her side of it. The old saying "one person can make a difference" means if my little talks helps just one woman, it is worth it. The American Cancer Assoc. needs to be helping with this also. The average age of the "good" surgical/medical groups is in the 40 to 50 year age. Lets face it, Doctors learn most of what they do, from direct experience, and that takes years.  It took me many years to learn that graduating did not mean I knew anything. At 76 years of age I am still learning.

[baguba]

Simply Star you are amazing!  Thank you for getting out there and being a voice for all of us.  My GP (who I do like and with whom I have been with for over 35 years) has the type of personality that defines what you describe. I told him long ago that I was not interested in egos; but in good, sound medical treatment.  We established our ground rules then, and he has been one of my biggest cheerleaders since being dx.  WE need to set the boundaries on what WE will listen to and take from the men and women who treat us.  And it is up to us to "get outta Dodge" if we're not happy with them.  Thank your daughter, too, for presenting her case/concerns on behalf of the legions of us who suffer with this dreadful disease.  The more I read and the more I research, the more positive I feel.  There IS hope out there; we are each one voice who can make that hope a reality.  Gynecological cancer symptoms are missed too often because of ignorance on our parts.  I didn't even know what OVCA was until a dear friend was DX 6 months before me; then when I heard that is was rare, never thought that I, too, would be snake bitten by it.  Ignorance is NOT bliss.  We need to tell everyone who will listen to stop "masking" what could be OVCA symptoms with IBS, GERD, etc. remedies.  I just had to chuckle.....the words, "I am woman, hear me roar".....came to mind......You're leading the way for us; we'll all glady follow.  God Bless all your efforts on our behalf!  And, thank you........I don't think you're getting ready to pull in your shingle any time soon..... :)

[Tybear]

The National Ovarian Cancer Association in Canada has a program called "Survivors Teaching Students" where Ovarian Cancer survivors go and speak with medical students in going through gyne training. I was supposed to be a part of this program, but my recurrence tripped me up a bit! I didn't want to commit to something if I wasn't sure I could be there 100%. I will be re-joining as soon as my chemo is done. I'll be honest, it's amazing how little the medical proffession knows about this disease. I went into the ER one night and after telling the triage nurse about my history with cancer, she asked me if it was discovered through a pap test - I was like, "HELLO!!". I was floored - a nurse didn't even know how it was detected? oy.
Becky

[dalip]

What a brillient idea. The only way doctors ect are going to diagnose more ovc is by educating themselves with the symptoms ect. I have read that the reason many are not found early on is because these gp's dont see enough cases per year.That said they call it the silent cancer, but is it really or has there been no connection put on the symptoms some women appear too be getting due to their vageness(sp)or similularity to other conditions,IBS for one example.
Caretaker76. Is your friend sure its ovc and not cervical cancer. The minor op thing could well have been for abnormal cell changes in which case they do usually do a follow up about 3-4mths later.Just a thought as it is so easy to confuse all our female parts!.