CA-125

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sflow
sflow Member Posts: 297
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Has anyone had the CA-125 test for ovarian cancer? I am an almost 2 year survivor of IDC and found out recently that my maternal grandmother died of fallopian tube cancer. I was wondering if that would put me at risk for ovarian or tubal cancer. I would like to ask my doctor for the CA-125 but don't know if he would feel it is justified. Comments?

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  • poolas
    poolas Member Posts: 30
    edited September 2008

    sflow

    I was given the CA-125 test along with my other testing when I was first diagnosed with BC.  My surgeonsaid he orders this test routinely. (the result was negative).

    Paula G

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  • AngelaD
    AngelaD Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2008

    From what I understand, CA-125 is not always an indicator for ovarian cancer.  My GYN suggested I have the test performed yearly due to the fact that - for my mother who had stage IIIc OC, her CA-125 was an indicator, jumping to 1200.  0-34 is a normal range from what I understand.  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2008

    I had the CA-125 bloodtest when my gyn suspected ovarian cancer (had a large mass on CT scan). My gyn said the test is not very reliable, especially in premenopausal women, but it's all we really have along with the transvaginal ultrasound. They like the # to be below 35, ideally around 21, but it can be elevated for many reasons other than ovarian cancer. Mine was 12 and ended up benign fortunately.

    anne

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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited September 2008

    My gynecologist says that this test is very accurate when it's good, and not very reliable when it's bad, but she said that my normal results meant that I did not have ovarian cancer. However, abnormal results would merely mean that they needed to do more tests.

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  • stillrusty
    stillrusty Member Posts: 120
    edited September 2008

    Yes it is one of those tests that are not perfect. You can have oc and not have elevated levels, and you can have elevated levels and not have oc. However, it can be useful. Unfortunately, ovarian is one of those ca that is hard to detect early. I had it done because of a family history of bc and a cousin with oc. My Dr. ordered it- so I felt better- and now I have a baseline to compare to. I don't think it would be unjustified to do the test.

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited September 2008

    I have had the CA-125 run for several years even before my bc dx. My maternal aunt died from ovarian cancer at 37 and my mom had bc at age 58. I was dx with DCIS at age 46. It is not a perfect test as others have said but it can indicate if a problem is there and warrant further testing. I also have had the tv-ultrasound done.

    Sheila

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