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Onset of symptoms for ovarian cancer
Does the abdominal cramping and pain start suddenly with ovarian cancer? Just 2 days ago I started having cramps and lower back pain. Forgive me if this question sounds ignorant, but I have lost a friend to ovarian cancer just recently.
I had one very, very bad pain late in the day, which gradually lessened so I could sleep -- but left me "sore" in the morning. Called the doctor, who fit me in that day, and he sent me for a CT scan to confirm diverticulitis. Wrong. It was a fist-sized mass on my ovary.
A week later, I found a little blood in my underwear, which shouldn't have been there as I was post-menopausal. The next week, I had surgery by a gynecological oncologist. I feel fortunate that I acted on my instincts to call the doctor -- and that he sent me for the scan and to a gyn/onc.
The pain I had was not like cramps or labor pains. It was very intense and I would have had to go to the ER if it hadn't backed off some. Still, it scared me into action. I was not aware of any of the other symptoms of ovarian cancer at the time.
Caught early, like mine,
A week later, I found a little blood in my underwear, which shouldn't have been there as I was post-menopausal. The next week, I had surgery by a gynecological oncologist. I feel fortunate that I acted on my instincts to call the doctor -- and that he sent me for the scan and to a gyn/onc.
The pain I had was not like cramps or labor pains. It was very intense and I would have had to go to the ER if it hadn't backed off some. Still, it scared me into action. I was not aware of any of the other symptoms of ovarian cancer at the time.
Caught early, like mine,
Having just lost a friend to ovarian cancer, I am sure that you are more aware of things than normal. From what I remember, none of my symptoms just appeared one day. It was several smaller things that kept getting worse. As far as cramping though, I would not call the abdominal pain of ovarian cancer "cramping"
The ACS states that if you develope any symptoms that "are new to you" and they persist longer than 3 weeks, then you should contact your Dr.
No question is ignorant when it comes to your health and well being. I would guess that you do not need to worry. But as I am not a Dr, please do not take my word for it. Keep track if what is going on and if it does not get any better before long, contact your Dr, explain your fears, and schedule an appointment. If it turns out to be nothing, great. That will ease your fears and you will also feel better about taking control of the situation.
I wish you luck.
Chris
The ACS states that if you develope any symptoms that "are new to you" and they persist longer than 3 weeks, then you should contact your Dr.
No question is ignorant when it comes to your health and well being. I would guess that you do not need to worry. But as I am not a Dr, please do not take my word for it. Keep track if what is going on and if it does not get any better before long, contact your Dr, explain your fears, and schedule an appointment. If it turns out to be nothing, great. That will ease your fears and you will also feel better about taking control of the situation.
I wish you luck.
Chris
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