PCOS and Cancer

AmyKost · 10-12-2007, 02:19 AM

I just had a friend die of stage IV Lung Cancer and it has caused me to question some things about my life and my PCOS. If I have cysts all of the time how do I know that they are not cancer? It isn't as if I get sonagrams on a regular basis and many of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and PCOS are the same. My cysts are constantly rupturing and that can't be good on your body. How do I know if my pelvic pain and constant trips to the bathroom (mostly at night) are cancer or just the PCOS? I also get cysts in my breasts and have them on other parts of my body like my splene (on last cat scan). How do I check to make sure all of these cysts are benign? Can I just ask for the C-125 blood test? If so how do I do so in a way that will make the doctor take me seriously? Did I mention my great grandmother died of ovarian cancer?

tammyjo348 · 10-12-2007, 05:15 PM

I have recently wondered the same thing. Many things that I have read said that risks go up with family history, especially if those family members are under 55 when diagnosed. Ovarian cancer, and any other 'female' cancers have higher risk of being found in those whose family members had ovarian, cervical, breast, or even stomach/colon cancers. Two of my aunts have passed away before they turned 55 due to breast cancer and stomach cancer...

Does anyone here have/had this cancer or know anyone who has? Is there a higher rate, I wonder, of those with PCOS getting the ovarian/cervical cancer? I hear off and on that cysts, if constant, can cause this. Also heard that cancers don't often start out as painful (as in having a cyst burst or cramping kind of painful).

How would one go about bringing this up to the doctor? At least without seeming like such a "worry wart" or whatnot. Is the C-125 something that doctor's would check just because you ask?

melinda31 · 10-12-2007, 08:52 PM

Amy i feel the same way u do. Doctors do not take us seriously and then they become concerned when its to late. wokmen with pcos are at risk for so many things its becoming hard for me to look at the risks. go to your doctor and ask for that test. Follow your womenly intuition!!!! i'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Your cyster, Melinda

KABBS10476 · 10-14-2007, 01:27 PM

Hi

I feel the same way as you, my grandmother died at the age of 68 with breast cancer. I think she may have had PCOS and never knew about it, as she had all the syptoms that i could see.

Karen

knib · 10-14-2007, 07:32 PM

According to my doc, we are at a higher risk of both endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer. So I have regular mammograms and they always follow up with an Ultrasound of any suspicious areas. They definitely look different and that helps but my doc also told me that if I want I can have the cysts biopsied at any time. I go back this month this years annual exam and I am probably going to have them biopsy at least one cuz' I think it is growing.