does having endo mean I am at high risk for ovarian cancer?

[JS1001]

hi!

I an 26 and I have recently been diagnosed with moderate endometriosis. I am having a hard time coming to terms with it all and I consulted dr Google. I came across studies that show endo is a precursor to ovarian cancer and increases risk. I already have health anxiety however now I have gotten myself into such a state. I’m terrified of the future and can’t stop crying and researching.

[ElizaEliza]

I’m really sorry to hear how upset you are. I too have health anxiety and have become very worried about developing ovarian cancer, I also went down a rabbit hole of reading research that does suggests the link is significant. I feel worried too as most of my symptoms are the same as ovarian cancer symptoms so how on earth would you know the difference? I spoke to my doctor about this recently who said there’s only a minimal increased overrall lifetime risk which should be reassuring but like you it’s hard to believe that and not to feel overwhelmed. I’m sorry you are going through this 😥

[K2023]

Hi, I know it’s hard not to worry but reading information online will only make it worse . My best advise is to read woman’s stories on here so many many woman have suffered this condition for most of their lives and not developed cancer from it .I for one have had it over 31 years , my best advice is learn from the people who have it , not the algorithms of the internet. If you type in I banged my toe it would probably come up saying cancer . Everyone is at some risk and their are many woman who don’t have endometriosis that may develop gynaecological cancers . I have never been told my chances were higher with Endo and I have seen all kinds of specialists, private and NHS . It’s a lot to take in when you are told you have endometriosis but try to focus on what you need to heal .Ask your GP for advise on it or if you are under consultant air your concerns with them . Just keep asking and talking about it until you feel you have your head around it and then the anxiety of it will ease .

[ccfd9]

Hi

Although the chances of ovarian cancer is higher with endometriosis it is still only a few percentage increase, so it is extremely unlikely. The key element is stress so do not get stressed about it. Look at your lifestyle and think about controlling your hormone levels. Nutrition has good results in reducing oestrogen which feeds the endometriosis. Think about a good fish oil and an anti inflammatory diet. endometriosis.co.uk/

[BloomingMarvellous]

First port of call is to stop the Dr Google now ( I know that’s a toughie) and use all the small comforts that you can to ground and be kind to yourself. Right now you’re probably in shock and that’s pretty normal. It’s also normal to have some degree of health anxiety with endo partly because it raises cortisol levels as part and parcel of it’s self and partly because you’ll have been through a process likely or not where your problems have been minimised. Both will raise your stress level and habitutated you “ trying to find an answer”- a bit like trying to find a child’s lost parent mentally. We’ve all encountered it to some degree or just completely shut down.

You will still be the same you you’ve been before and today and take that with you into this stage of adjustment. You are you and not the disease. You will need to take account and care in the right way because of the diagnosis but also find a way of taking yourself off high anxiety /alert status, because it’s exhausting and long term corroding. It takes time to grieve , level and find your feet. When you are in a much much safer space in yourself explore . Perhaps talk to the helpline at Endo UK , line up your most pressing concerns and they’ll probably be able to help you. When you are ready explore how you might best support yourself. Some look to diet , pelvic physio , cold swimming and local support groups. Don’t be alone. I use a diary which I rip up each day just to keep things proportionate and my feelings not hidden away or about to ambush me.

Plenty of us find Katie Edmonds Heal Endo book a positive support and encouragement to understand and find your way through endo. Whatever you do take care of yourself first and when you are really grounded then maybe venture onto Dr Google but put a timer on and ensure you’ve other wonderful things to do straight after ♥️💕💕💕

[Poppykins86]

Hello, sorry you are feeling awful. Its a tough diagnosis to come to terms with.

From what I understand, endometriosis is not a pre-cursor to ovarian cancer. Just because you have endometriosis does not mean you will get ovarian cancer.

There are some studies which suggest that you are at a higher risk of ovarian cancer than someone who does not have endometriosis but the important thing to understand is the numbers. Even in a healthy person, the risk of ovarian cancer is very low. With endometriosis, we may be at a slightly higher risk, but it's an increase on an already low number.

For example, I believe the likelihood of a healthy person getting ovarian cancer is low (less than 2 in 100 women). For endo, this number is around 2 in 100 women....very slight increased risk. There are so many other factors.

I was diagnosed officially with endo 18months ago & google is not your friend. Unless you dig into the stats and numbers, articles are misleading. Some of the headlines I read terrified me quoting 20 to 30% increased risk. But a 20% increase on an already very low number....is still a low number. All about perspective.

Stress isn't good for endo because it spikes cortisol & plays havoc on hormones, and google will never reassure us! There is always going to be scary, unverified info floating around. Go by feel, take it one day at a time, and everything you have a question, write it down & talk to your dr about it, or jump on here!

Hope this helps and that you are doing good.