HomeAnswersMedical oncologyovarian cancerMy grandmother had ovarian cancer. Could it be genetic?

Can irregular bleeding be a sign of ovarian cancer?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Divya Banu M

Published At December 26, 2019
Reviewed AtApril 22, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My grandmother had a big goiter that she did not get it removed. Later she got a large cyst on the ovary. I mean 8 kg. When she removed it, she found out she had ovarian cancer. She removed it and is healthy today. Now I am terrified that this is hereditary. What do you think? I am so scared for my mother. The doctor told my grandmother to remove the goiter a lot of times, it was huge and she had hyperthyroidism. I have read somewhere that there might be a link to hyperthyroidism and ovarian cancer. I think that the body is trying to tell something when she got all this stuff. My grandmother was smoking for almost 30 years before she got this, and was 55 when she was diagnosed? Do you think it is hereditary? She is the only one in the family with this type of cancer, no breast cancer known in the family.

My mother was on a check before a few days, but she is 44 and has irregular bleeding and has an appointment with a specialist next month. I am terrified. My grandmother had an early menopause and the doctor thinks the same is going on with my mother. If she got the menopause from my mother I think she also can get the cancer? But it is very normal to get the menopause on the same age as your mother, is it? My mother is 44 years, has 4 kids, never tried a smoke. Do you think she is in danger? I also have OCD and terrifying thoughts all the time.

Answered by Dr. Bharat Bhushan

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First, it is perfectly normal if your grandmother had and now your mother is started having premenopausal irregular cycles at age of 44, there is no harm in having menopause at this age and studies have concluded that early menopause protects from breast and ovarian cancers.

Second, since your grandmother had ovarian cancer then here are a few questions.

1. What was the age of your grandmother when it was diagnosed?

2. What was the histological type and grade of the tumor?

3. Has she underwent screening for other cancers that are common in this age group?

4. And your complete family history with cancer history in family members.

5. The use of hormonal replacement therapy or other exogenous hormones.

Third thing is that being concerened (sometimes over-concerned) about the health of family member should not be considered as OCD or any other disorder untill and unless the thoughts makes you sick. One suggestion that I can give to you to relieve of your anxiety is that you should take advice of a medico if in doubt rather than ruminating on thoughts of impending doom. And last, thyroid swelling can be tackled with a simple surgery, so convince your GM.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

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Dr. Bharat Bhushan

Radiation Oncology

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