I am young but could I still possibly have ovarian cancer?

[spookedlady]

I've been thinking my problems could've been something else until now. I am 20 years old, I only had one sex partner my entire life. Noone on either side of my family has ever had ovarian, colon, cervical, or breast cancer. I haven't had sex for about 1 year and a half. For the past 4 months, i've developed some strange symptoms. I've been having alot of constipation (diarrhea on rare occasions) I feel bloated after certain meals, gas, stomach aches, this is just the beginning...My menstrual cycle has gone bonkers...I bleed so much that i gotta sit on the toilet for like 20 minutes. My cramps are incredibly painful, more painful than before. Medicine doesnt help my cramps that much any more.

I've always been a heavy bleeder and had cramps, but not this much...
Could this be ovarian cancer? I'm very afraid...

[alanpvegas]

Not necessarily.  Although ovarian cancer is more previlant with people over 50, it can happen to anyone.  I think I recall overhearing a child (under 10?) that had ovarian cancer.  Either way the point is any age can have it.

While your symptoms may not be ovarian cancer, you should get it checked out.  You can refer to a Gynecologic Oncologist (a female cancer doctor) if you really want to make sure.  There are scans and blood tests any physician can run to rule this out.

Alan

------------
Ovarian Cancer Research Website
http://cancer.alanpeto.com/

[nyc lady]

I agree with Alan, that you need to be seen by a doctor....but, it is okay to start with an OB/GYN first.  Let them take preliminary tests and give you a  check up.  There are numerous different ailments that can cause your symptoms, OvCa being just one of them.  

I am a strong believer in 2nd opinions with GYN/ONCs for cysts and other issues if necessary....they are the specialist in all gynocological issues....but, seeing a regular GYN first may provide answers immediately.

OvCa as other cancers, does not discriminate against age,  we have Ashley - her father posts, at 15 and there is Becky, Theresa, Stephers all in their 20s.  The younger the rarer the disease.

I understand your fear, please go to the doctor and be checked....let us know what happens and what the next step is, if any.  

Good luck to you!!!

[spookedlady]

I probably would've gone in about this whole problem sooner if I had some medical coverage. And if it was anything like ovarian cancer, idk how im gonna pay for treatment...So i'm in a real fix. BTW, i havent lost my appetite and I also started getting a rash on my back since 4 months ago too.

[nyc lady]

Are you in the United States?  

No emergency room will turn you away, they must treat you regardless of having insurance or not.  They will be able to do a CT Scan or whatever test is required and they will be able to judge if there are any cysts on your ovaries.  You need to know if you have any cysts or anything on your ovary.  I am not a doctor and do not know about other gynocological issues, I only know as much about OvCa that I have researched, but, I am thinking that heavy bleeding is more uterine related then ovarian...I could be very wrong!!!

Do I think that you have OvCa, no I don't, but, I am not a doctor, I have no crystal ball....you do have issues that need to be addressed...there are ways to be treated without medical coverage.

Good luck.

[alanpvegas]

lack of Insurance...yes...well versed in this topic.  well the prior post is right, you can go to any emergency room per federal law, they cannot turn you away.  of course this is the worst way to do it, but in a Superpower like America that can't give half it's population medical insurance, well it's the only option.

What are the costs for an uninsured person with ovarian cancer...wow..alot.  Let's assume you have srage 3 ovarian cancer (which I doubt) like most...surgery alone is going to cost thousands of dollars.  Either in the low amount or up to the twenties.  This does not even cover the cost of the hospital stay.  TPN or intravenous feeding (should you need it) costs thousands of dollars PER DAY alone.  Then there is chemotherapy...ahem...the lovely drug companies enjoy nice profits on this.

But there is an out.  Thankfully there were some politicans who decided that their citizens dying left and right because they couldn't afford it is a bad idea.  You can go about this several way, one is with local (typically 'County') assistance.  Most major counties have some sort of medical assistance.  Then there is, for medical stays, Medicaid run by the State (but funded by the Government and other sources).  Both require you to meet certain (in my opinion) stringent standards.  

If you email me via http://www.alanpeto.com/ovarian_cancer/pages/Contact-Us.html     with the county/state you live in I'll try and do some digging for you to see what's available as far as aid.  You can also contact the American Cancer Society via their 800 number for local assistance/resources.

The one thing you shouldn't do is postpone this.  Delaying going to the doctor will make the majority of conditions worse, not better.  So let's say you have ovarian cancer...maybe it's only stage 1 (i.e. 'curable').  Why wait until Stage 3 or 4 where you will have *more* surgery and a harder time fighting the cancer?  

Worst comes to worst, go bankrupt...medical bills are unsecured debt!

[spookedlady]

I'm gonna go to see a doctor next week after my period is over...I'm so scared :( I think if it were just a regular cyst i wouldnt be so constipated like this ; ; I'm afraid that I waited too long ;; I don't want to die...I didn't even start college yet :(...

[PPhelps]

Please calm down, don't get into a panic thinking this is OVCA. This could be endo or fibroids too. So go to the doctor and tell him of your concerns.

[spookedlady]

I'm trying to stay calm but noone else in my family as far as I can think back has ever had to deal with any forms of cancer...My mom and everyone else just thinks its part of me growing up and I was listening to them for a while too :(...I didn't think about cancer or anything till two days ago. I think that was the biggest mistake i've made. I'd like to see a doctor sooner but I gotta wait till next week.

Would it be far less likely for me to develope OvaC since noone on either side of my family has had it?

[PPhelps]

I know its difficult not to worry about this kind of thing. But the stress of worrying will take its toll on you too. Evidently you have done some research. You've gone over the symptoms. Now you have to talk to the doctor about what you have learned. Take charge of your health, if the doctor won't talk to you regarding this or foo's your concern telling you you are too young. Tell him you know better. Cancer don't discriminate, to look outside the box for a change. Also like I said before your symptoms could be other things too. Keep in touch and let us know what the doctor tells you.

[alanpvegas]

I agree with PPhelps, don't worry...it can be any number of things like she said.  It's hard I'm sure not to dwell on the worst, but don't.  Even if it is, you are in a unique period of ovarian cancer research where there are more treatments available to you.

Don't worry, get rest and we'll all hope for the best for you.  Let us know how it goes!

Alan

[shellant]

I know you do not have med ins but I would make an apt with a gyn and get a check up. It could be anything like they said fibroids endometreosis etc I would not go to the ER believe me it will cost you less to see a gyn. I have gone to the ER so many times for abdominal pain and they did not help at all. They will only send you home with an rx for pain pills and tell you to see a gynocologist anyway. Good luck