To Test Or Not To Test

[KrisAll]

I have had alot of symptoms that seem similar to women that have been diagnosed with OVCA.  I really never thought much of it until a friend of mine suggested that I get a CA-125.  The problem is that I can't get in to see my GYN unitl Feb.  She has suggested going to a lab that doesn't require a Dr's order and have my blood drawn...Silly?  I would think waiting until Feb is not that bad?  She says not to wait.  Suggestions?

[SimplyStar]

I think you get the message from these gals that have been there, done that, you should not wait.  Be proactive from the beginning with this,  call the Doctors office and lay it out for them, you will not wait till Feb, if they cannot order the TVUS and CA125  then you want a referral to a doctor that will.  lets rule out OVCA first and then deal with the symptoms. Time is so important right now and it could save you a lot of difficulty.  Good Luck

[Jan214]

I waited.  I have 3c with recurrence.  YOU DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH THIS!!!  Get the test if you are lucky enough to live someplace where they will test without Drs orders.  The odds are against you having OVCA,  but if you do, even a few months could make a HUGE difference.
I agree that your gyno is way to busy if that's the best he can do. If you don't want to find a new Dr at least call and ask them to put you on a cancellation list so you might get in earlier.
Good luck
Jan

[Helmar]

Don't wait! If, by any chance, it is OvCa, then there is no time to be messing around. This is a lethal and nasty disease, and the quicker you act to clear up what the problem actually is, the better for your peace of mind. If it is cancer, then it's best to get onto it a.s.a.p.. Hugs...Helen..

[ckr]

Please do not wait.  If you read the information about OVCA some of it varies.  The one message that does not change is, "Time is of the essence."

Please see another doctor ASAP.  What everyone else has said about the CA-125 is correct.  

Good luck, Sweetie.  I hope that you follow through quickly.

[rmarie]

That Dr is much to busy.  If you are having symptoms and need to be checked, the time period is not acceptable and I would tell them so.  Worded the correct way, it is amazing how time can open up.  If it doesn't consider a new physician who can see you.  You could go to your Family practice and ask for them to order the TVUS and move from there.  The CA 125 in pre menopausal women is unreliable so if you get it done, keep that in mind and don't let it throw you if it comes back elevated.  Work on finding someone to order the TVUS will tell you if there is a problem with the ovaries and then possibly a CT.  Good luck

[Casey06]

If you are premenopausal the test is less accurate, so keep that in mind.
Have you had an ultrasound, you may want this first, but if they can't see you until February, that is along time to wait.

I had symptoms and a known mass and my gyn did not want me to get the test, becuase she said it is too misleading, but when my symptoms were so bad myGP called a Gyn Onc who suggested I get the test and mine was 388 (kinda high).

So it caused alot of anxiety , but did get me a referral to a gyn onc, who said it was elevated due to endometriosis (which wasand can be true).

We decided on surgery and I did have extensive endometriosis as well as borderline cancer.

So, with that said, I think it is a test and more info or data for your doctors to use along with imaging (US and CT). If the test is elevated, then don'y panic, but your doctor will probably see you sooner for an US or follow-up and or refer you to a gyn onc.

You just need to be very cautious about reacting to the results because they are inconclusive both ways.

John Hopkins suggests getting serial CA-125 an dif it rises, it could be an indication of a problem:
http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/ca125qa.cfm
http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/OvarianCancer.pdf

It is your choice as to waiting or not, but I personally have no patience, so wouldn't wait.
I have no regrets for getting the test and would do the same thing again.
Good luck and I hope all is benign and you get relief.

[LoriLee1962]

My doctor says that the C-125 is not all that reliable. However I did have a C-125 done after I had a vaginal ultrasound. I would suggest that you also set up to have a vaginal ultrasound as well as C-125. Good Luck an dlet us know what you do. I definitely would not wait until Feb.

[EchoUK]

I think you will find that everyone on this forum will tell you to act immediately. Cancer doen't wait and neither should you.

Hope you are one of the lucky ones !

Best wishes,

Ruth