ca125 test

[sue14]

got results from ca125 blood test - was 22. does that mean i'm ok? only, i read that ca125 results are not a completely reliable test for ovarian cancer. should i now be asking for some other test to rule out ovarian cancer or should i be content with the results from this blood test?  any use in asking for another ca125 bloodtest some time in the future (to compare it to this one)?

just feel i've been fobbed off with 'irritable bowel' by gp and want to complete tests for ovarian cancer - if possible. ovarian cysts were identified during ultrasound scan in nov 2007 & gp hasn't commented on them at all - and my tummy isn't right since my 'missed misscarriage' and continued bleeding in 2006.

thank you

[jane65]

If your GP is not beng helpful, why don't you ask a friend for the name of their GYN, or you can call the nearest hospital to you, and ask for the doctor referral service. Or you can google GYN in what ever city and state you're in, and you can check them out on the computer as to where they were educated, and trained.

Maybe it's time to look for a new GP if you feel he's not helping you.

The computer can really be a scary place when you're checking out symptoms, I've been there and done that. One good website is WebMD the info is accurate. Or you can go to the top of this page and fill in the box "search MedHelp". Just a couple of suggestions.... Jane

[sue14]

thank you for your message.

had difficulties getting my gp to arrange a ca125 bloodtest but wasn't going to be fobbed-off as the symptoms for 'ovarian cancer' seem to be similar to 'irritable bowel' (which i've been diagnosed with at present). asked for a gp appointment when i got my ca125 results (but earliest appt is monday!) and will ask gp for a referral to a gynacologist - as you advised.

quite worried as my tummy is still not right since loosing my baby - and 'googling' the symptoms has got me quite frightened.  trouble is, my gp is not very unhelpful and it's a uphill struggle to get any help at all.

thanks for your help.

[jane65]

Ask your GYN to do a transvaginal ultrasound to see if there are any visible cysts, (which you said you already had), and to check for any tumors, that along with the CA125 will give your doctor more info. about the possibility of OVCA.

This is not something your GP should be handling, it's for a GYN who is a specialist in female reproductive organs.

A CA125 under 35 is considered "normal", but it's not totally accurate, thus the need for the TVU.
My condolences on the miscarriage.
Let us know what the test shows, good luck.