Hi, I am looking for general opinions on my ovarian cyst situation and whether I should just let it go or seek a second opinion. I am 58 yrs old and was diagnosed with high grade DCIS (stage 0 breast cancer) in 2016 when I was 53. I had a lumpectomy and radiation.
This past March I experienced light post-menopausal bleeding but only for a couple of days. I wasn't terribly worried but decided to get it checked out and had an endometrial biopsy followed up with ultrasound (in May) both trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal. The biopsy was clear. The left ovary could not be seen. The ultrasound found a small ovarian cyst on my right ovary. The cyst was only .9 cm and was "minimally complex with thin septa". My gyno and I decided to do a follow-up ultrasound in August due to my previous breast cancer. The follow up US showed the cyst as mostly stable but had grown to 1.2 cm which I know is still very small. The single thin septa was still showing. The verdict is no further follow up was necessary "absent any clinical concerns". I am not experiencing any unusual (For me) symptoms. I have a history of IBS and lumbar compression so I routinely feel gassy constipated and bloated and have lower abdomen pain and back pains. I recently had some light bleeding after intercourse.
Here's my quandary. I would like to have another scan of some sort down the road to see if it's still growing or disappeared. But I'm told it's not necessary. I mean, don't large cysts start out small? And isn't the goal to catch anything serious early on?
My breast oncologist isn't helpful because gynocological cancers are not her expertise. I have had genetic testing and was negative. I know there are some questions whether there is a true link between breast cancer and ovarian. I'm coming up on 5 years for the breast cancer and will have my last oncologist appt in December. I'm considering making my appointment with a different onco who would have more knowledge on ovarian cancer OR seeking out a new gynecologist for a second opinion.
I want to be my own health advocate but I do tend to have health anxiety and could easily be blowing my situation out of proportion. It feels odd knowing the cyst is there and just waiting for symptoms to start. I am not even sure if ovarian cancer can start out as a small cyst. I don't want to be that person who some day says "if only I'd pushed for another scan".
If you were me, would you forget about it or seek a second opinion for peace of mind? I know nobody can give me full on medical advice. I am looking for advice from others who have experienced cancer and know what the worry can feel like.
Thank you 