I am new here just wondering how long it takes to get a diagnosis on average.
I have been having mild pain in my left side for over a year. Sex is painful in same area. I was diagnosed in may 2018 with a 2cm complex ovarian cyst. I don't get to see a gyno until the end of november. My fathers sister had ovarian cancer and I am trying not to worry. Recently I have had increased urinary frequency and urgency. No sign of UTI. Other than the sharp pains during intercourse I have mild pain most of the time nothing to take medication for just discomfort. With such minor symptoms I am torn between pushing for a sooner appt and just being patient. Routine blood work is normal no ca125 done.
Any words of advice would be appreciated. My ultrasound also showed calcifications on the other ovary
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Sorry to hear you are having these issues. And, yes, it is hard not to worry.It is important to rule this disease out and we are hoping the best possible out come for you.
You will find much information and support here around the site - you may want to review some of the stories on the "Let's get started" topic; the women talk about their symptoms and how they were diagnosed.
I've posted a link below about the symptoms. You may need to educate your health care professionals depending on if they have previously treated patients with symptoms or issues as they may not be aware.
https://ovariancanada.org/About-Ovarian-Cancer/Disease-Basics
Sometimes, removal of the cyst and pathology are the ways to confirming if benign or not.
Not to alarm you in anyway however, If the symptoms/pain/issues are persistent, be insistent! Please consult with your health care team and ask for a second opinion or referral if they are not listening to you; November seems too far away.
Detection details are here:
https://ovariancanada.org/About-Ovarian-Cancer/Detection
And note that the CA125 is only one part of the tools for detection; many of the ladies on the site have had to push for a CT or MRI.
We are here to support you for sure.
Based on your symptoms - pain in the abdomen for 1 year, sharp pain during intercourse, recent change in your urinary habits and your family history of ovarian cancer - you might want to push for an earlier appointment with the gynecologist just to be on the safe side. You could even ask if your family doctor would refer you directly to a gynecologic oncologist. This does NOT mean that you have ovarian cancer! It just might be quicker and skip a step in the process of diagnosis to know exactly what is going on. Does your family doctor know about your family history?
I encourage you to write these things down. Also any questions you may have. If they want to watch and wait and you are not comfortable with this, you can ask for the CA125 and transvaginal ultrasound. Sometimes people find they have to be their own advocates in these circumstances.
It may also be helpful to take someone with you to the appointment to be a second set of ears and who may think of questions in the moment that you may not.
I hope your appointment goes well! Let us know what happens!