Is It Possible-Ovarian Cancer?

Dear Dr. Goodman,

1st of all I am live in M.A. and if need I could make an appointment to see you.  Well, Ovarian Cancer runs in the family Great Grandmother had it, my mother has a history of fibrocystic disease, plus three great uncles had cancer of some sort.  My history-difficult periods from the get go heavy bleeding and severe cramps.  I also have had a history of cysts on ovaries.  Recent one was 3.4 cm on the right ovary.  It is now gone after it was monitored every 6 wks by ultrasound for a while-I am woman of faith and I believe it was a miracle.  I bleed for a whole month straight and during it seemed like a piece of flesh? that came out that was decent size-I know it wasn't a clot-I was able to pick it up(sorry for details).  Now I still have pain like I have a cyst no period for a month but a discharge long dark brown stingy almost fleshy type of constinacy-the best way to explain.  I have a long medical history of being on steriods for microscopic colitis and pain meds for pinched nerves, buldging dics, and degenerative disc disease.  I am going for byopsy soon.  But what do you think this all sounds like-is it possible ovarian caner? Thanks LovelyLady1

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,

at age 30, it would be very unusual to develop ovarian cancer. Usually the ages that your relatives developed cancer can be a clue to when you become at risk for cancers.
Usually screening should start 10 years earlier than the age that a relative developed cancer. So if your great grand mother had ovarian cancer at age 50, screening should start at 40. This is especially true for mammograms to screen for breast cancer.

If you have a family history of cancer, you should ask your doctor about genetic screening. If you have the gene mutation for BRCA 1 or 2, that is a reason to consider prophylactic surgical removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes and also to consider prophylactic mastectomy.

Unfortunately there is no good screening test for ovarian cancer.

As far as your gyn symptoms.most cysts are related to ovulation. It is the normal job description of the ovary to make cysts that come an go each month.

Abnormal Bleeding should be evaluated by checking a pregnancy test, hormone levels such as thyroid and the milk hormone prolactin, and to do a biopsy.

Persistent pain may be related to your bowel disease but unexplained pelvic pain may be evaluated by diagnostic laparoscopy. The most common gyn reason for the pain you describe is the benign condition called endometriosis
it sounds like you are being evaluated very well
best wishes