I have been having pain and bloating in my abdomen. I am also having constipation and gas. I have had a hysterectomy and both ovaries have been removed. I didn't think cancer was possible but an email told me it was. So if anyone knows the symptoms for either cancer I have mentioned or a reason for symptoms I am having please let me know. I have had breast cancer in the past and hope that these symptoms are just IBS.

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Melissa

Hi Melissa -
The symptoms you're having may have nothing to do with cancer. First place I would start is with a good gastroenterologist. They'd probably want to do either a GI series or a colonoscopy.

Gas and bloating can be caused by diverticulosis, which is pockets (like out-pouches) in the intestines. They trap gas and some of the food you eat, so the food stays around longer for the intestinal bacteria to work on. Sometimes a change in diet can help. Also, diverticulosis is not in itself a problem, but if the pockets get infected (which is then called diverticulitis), it's very dangerous.

It's also possible you could have Irritible Bowel Syndrome, Infectious Bowel Disease, or other bowel problems.

I know that once we've had cancer, we have a tendency to worry that every new symptom could be cancer, but remember that there are lots of other, way less life-threatening illnesses out there!

So, please see a GI doctor so you can find out what's going on.

Ruth