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CA125 levels if you are BRCA2 positive

I am a breast cancer survivor who happens to have the BRCA2 gene.  I have been told that this increases my risk of getting ovarian cancer by 25% by the time I'm 70 years old.  Therefore, in an attempt to monitor my condition I have an ultra sound of my ovaries every 6 months and a CA125 drawn every three months.  My CA125 has been within the normal range until recently it was a 45.  It jumped 11 points in 3 months.  My ultrasound looks normal.  I am on Tamoxifen for 3 1/2 more years however I did have my first period in a year and a half 45 days ago.  Should I be overly concerned about my CA125 elevated level?  Do I need to just throw myself into early menopause and remove the ovaries?  I am 40 years old and was 38 when diagnosed with DCIS BC, had 8 rounds of chemo over 6 months, my cancer was 100% estrogen positive.  Please let me know what you think.  Thanks so much!
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Hi, I'm sorry you've had to go through breast cancer and now this.  Dr's normally watch the CA125 for an upward trend where three or more tests in a row have increasing values. Even that wouldn't tell you it's cancer but that it's worth investigating. The CA125 normal range is from 0-35 but in women with ovarian cancer it is usually much higher >100 and can even be over 10,000! Although in some ovarian cancer cases CA125 is not elevated at all - that's why it's not used to diagosis ovarian cancer.  It's usually used to determine if a treatment is working or if a reoccurence is happening.

It's good you have a dr that is watching your CA125 so closely.  The CA125 can be elevated for many reasons including your period, stress, infection, endometriosis, and other illnesses.  Don't be too concerned just yet - it sounds like your dr is right on top of this.  But if you do start having symptoms of ovarian cancer make sure to mention to your dr right away.

Take Care
Chelan
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Avatar universal
Thanks for you comments and information.  Everything I'm reading seems to focus more on the ultra sound.  I keep hearing that the CA125 is not reliable especially in premenopausal women.  The gyn/onco.  I consult with told me premenopausal women can have a level as high as 65 and it still be considered normal because of all the things you listed.  I have had endometreosis removed twice, once at 24 then again at 27.  At that time in my life it was giving me some trouble.  However, now I feel fine.  But my regular oncologist told me that once you have endo. that you always have some.  Is that true?  She seems to think that's why my levels stay around the high side of normal.  I think what concerned me was that all levels for almost a year have been between 32-35, actually 35 was the very first one I had drawn.  So, for it to jump to 45 just freaked me out!  But my body is going back to normal from chemo., I just had a period in April.  
Sorry, I am rambling on and on.  I just need to talk to someone.  I appreciate your opinion.  Thanks so much!  Have a nice day.
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