Cancers, how to test for them.?

Well, it's like this, every time i have my period, i have extreme pain in my abdomen. i do not usually get this and when i do, it only lasts for about half an hour. after wards, i always find a lump of 'meat'. again, my GP says that it may simply be a blood clot, but what i get looks like a miniature fillet! it is not small, the smallest one was about 1cm long. i have had this since i was 17. what could it be? Ovarian cancer? Cervical Cancer? a Uterine cancer? Please help.

Since you have doubts about your GP's comment, seek another doc for a 2nd opinion (or 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, seek as many opinions as you need, as a good doc would not be offended that you want more objective opinions). Abdomen pain is usually not a cancer symptom. The diagnostic tests are usually ultrasonography; endometrial biopsy, colposcopy, or dilatation and curettage with hysteroscopy to obtain tissue for histologic exam; testing for blood in stool; and vaginal and cervical specimen to test for infections. This is a brief description of the cancer symptoms:

CERVICAL CANCER
Vaginal spotting or heavier bleeding, usually after sex or douching, but can also occur spontaneously. Persistent, pink-tinged, foul-smelling vaginal discharge and postcoital (after sex) pain. As the cancer spreads, back and sciatic (nerves near the back of the hip) pain, leg swelling, anorexia, hematuria, dysuria, rectal bleeding.

ENDOMETRIAL HYPERPLASIA/CANCER
Thin, brownish bleeding or bright red, profuse bleeding following sex or douching. Bleeding progressively become heavier and more frequent, leading to clotting and anemia. Pelvic, rectal, lower back and leg pains may accompany the bleeding,

OVARIAN TUMORS
Can also cause endometrial shedding and heavy bleeding unrelated to coitus or douching. Palpable pelvic mass, increased cervical mucus, and/or breast enlargement may occur as well.

VAGINAL CANCER
A thin, watery vaginal discharge occurs before spotting or bleeding, which can be spontaneous, but usually after sex and/or douching. There may be ulcerated vaginal lesion (looks like blisters); dyspareunia, urinary frequency, bladder and pelvic pain, rectal bleeding and vulvar lesions later.

I hope this helps to ease your worries. But do pay close attention to subsequent periods that might have similar type of clotting. Write down the details, such as the size, how thick, the color, when does each period begin (regular or irregular pattern?), how long each period lasts, how long or how often each clotting occurs, and so on. When necessary, bring that journal to your doc's attention.

It's also possible that the lump you may have noticed could have been a lymph node which can enlarge if there's infection (giving an example only). The only way to know for sure is to see a gynecologist for further evaluation of the situation to see what they think could be going on.

You should talk to another dr. My friend had a lump there and it was a fibroid. Cervical cancer you cant "feel"...its just starts growing, that's why u need regular paps. Or it could be a hernia. Or it could be a lump of fat. Thats why you need to see a dr. that specializes in female repro. because they will probably know whats going on and give you an utrasound or something. GP like to think they know everything about everything, but gyno's really DO know everything about repro. stuff!!