I have just read an interesting report discussing the possibility that ovarian cancer could be linked to vaginal bacteria. (bbc.co.uk/news/health)
This is especially relevant to me, as anyone who has read my previous posts will see that I was plagued by an irritable bladder/urine infections. I consulted a naturapath who suggested I try a probiotic that was guaranteed to reach the vaginal area. (Most don't) That was eight months ago, and I haven't had any bladder issues since.
Jenny
Wow I will have a look! I wonder if it applies to low grade too? I was forever getting thrush and utis. Thank you for sharing x
Interesting read! So what is the probiotic he suggested? x
Optibac probiotic for women. Regardless of any link with O C, I am just glad that it has sorted out by bladder issues.
Jenny
I read this. I would like to know details of the studies in a lot more detail. Very often the studies are poorly designed and the stats questionable. Still it is good that people are looking outside the box - every little helps.
Fay
The original study was published in the Lancet, and you are right, the media often pounce on a study and run wild with it! I was more intrigued with the fact that the probiotics seem to have cured my bladder issues which were making my life a misery and necessitating monthly anti biotics.
Jenny
I was very intrigued by that study and its possible connection to ovarian cancer, because I had troubles for about 10 years prior to my diagnosis of OC with an imbalance of vaginal bacteria, causing all the usual unpleasant whiffy problems. It was so bad at one point nearly 3 years ago, they actually did a hysteroscopy to check what was going on, but they couldn't find anything wrong in the womb. I imagine by then I had started OC, but no one thought to check for that. Its sod's law that I found the solution to the bacterial problems about 6 months prior to my OC diagnosis - I can heartily recommend Canesflor Probiiotics for Vaginal Use for such problems, they're like a magic bullet. Unfortunately, they were not on the market until about 3 years ago - all they are is lactobacillus plantarium in pessary form. I do wonder whether, if I'd been able to have those a few years ago, I would not now have OC... Certainly, my instincts after diagnosis told me that likely my microbiome was out of whack and needed changing, which was mainly why I changed my diet, though of course, I can't help stable, horse and bolt springing to mind...
Miriam
That sounds amazingly familiar
I'm curious now as to how many women had similar problems long before they were diagnosed...
Me too! At a smear test the nurse wondered if I had an incontintence issue (I didn’t although utis made it urgent). But had what turned out to be fluid in the uterus which was benign. It must have been occurring for several years before the diagnosis. Docs seemed to think it was thrush causing UTIs or an IBS problem as after an extremely painful colonoscopy (now I know why!) things settled down after a dietary change too. Hindsight, as my new GP said last week , is a wonderful thing and OC is a GP’s worst nightmare for diagnosis. I wish I had pushed for a ca125 more strongly.
Don't beat yourself up - the CA125 might not have helped. The gynae consultant at my local hospital was 'unconcerned' that my CA125 was 91, because it had fallen to 86 a fortnight later. Even though I had a tumour on the pelvic wall, cancerous ovaries and cancer in a lymph node, none of which he noticed on a physical examination apart from the lymph node, which he thought was 'unlikely to be anything sinister'. So even if you'd seen a proper gynaecology consultant and had the CA125 done, if it wasn't in the hundreds, they may have discounted it...
That's interesting, because of your mention of a whiff problem, as when I went to my gp with the first signs of what turned out to be O C, she asked me if I was aware of the odour from my vagina. I had been, but due to embarassement, had been trying to treat it with various over the counter products that didn't work. Strange how all these things fall into place gradually.I
Jenny
Bit chicken and egg,, that... if you'd been having whiff problems for some years, that might be signficant in that it may have resulted in OC, but otherwise, I guess it may be reasonable to assume that similar problems might occur once OC of some description has taken hold. For me, though, I had fewer problems in the 6 months prior to diagnosis than I'd had 3 years previously... Considering posting a question, because I am curious as to whether other women had similar problems for years beforehand... bit difficult to know how to phrase it tactfully though!
I have come to realise that anything can be discussed on this forum. We have all got past the need to observe "the niceties" of conversation. I think that if I have a condition, I can't be the only one!
It’s an interesting topic. I have read various articles as to possible causes of OC. I’m sure most of us could relate to a few theories.
I had never had a urine infection before diagnosis. No thrush. No cystitis.
I now get a bladder/kidney infection every few months. Apparently this can happen after debulking and obvious lack of hormones.
I do like reading these articles but everyone with OC diagnosis will have their own story. Even if the same stage and cancer. Xx
I never had any urine issues pre op. I blamed Avastin, though the onc disagreed. I now think that perhaps the chemo destroys the bio something in the bladder and destroys the good bacteria. Or, perhaps the nasty odour that I was giving off for over a year pre diagnosis was the O C getting going? I actually find this disease intriguing. It doesn't play by any rules, so is completely unpredictable.
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I.B.D
Do external ultrasound scans (and those who interpret them) often miss early gynaecological cancers and endometriosis?
CA 125 blood test.
