CA-125 Blood Test

[Niki1 1]

I got this from my uncle. Most of what he sends I ignore because it would belong in Speaker's Corner on the other end of the spectrum from where I am. But this seems to be real.


SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER
(Even In The Absence Of Ovaries)
An Eye-Opener On Ovarian Cancer
THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END
I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you can. Send this to the women in your life that you care about.
Years ago, Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was treated for everything under the sun until it was too late. This blood test finally identified her illness but alas, too late. She wrote a book to heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower.
Kathy's Story: this is the story of Kathy West
As all of you know, I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer has only recently been identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is essentially Ovarian Cancer.
Both types of cancer are diagnosed in the same way, with the 'tumor marker' CA-125 BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way - surgery to remove the primary tumor and then chemotherapy with Taxol and Carboplatin.
Having gone through this ordeal, I want to save others from the same fate That is why I am sending this message to you and hope you will print it and give it or send it via E-mail to everybody you know.
One thing I have learned is that each of us must take TOTAL responsibility for our own health care. I thought I had done that because I always had an annual physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self-Breast Exam, went to the dentist at least twice a year, etc. I even insisted on a sigmoidoscopy and a bone density test last year. When I had a total hysterectomy in 1993, I thought that I did not have to worry about getting any of the female reproductive organ cancers.
LITTLE DID I KNOW. I don't have ovaries (and they were HEALTHY when they were removed), but I have what is essentially ovarian cancer. Strange, isn't it?
These are just SOME of the things our Doctors never tell us: ONE out of every 55 women will get OVARIAN or PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER.
The 'CLASSIC' symptoms are an ABDOMEN that rather SUDDENLY ENLARGES and CONSTIPATION and/or DIARRHEA .
I had these classic symptoms and went to the doctor. Because these symptoms seemed to be 'abdominal', I went to a gastroenterologist. He ran tests that were designed to determine whether there was a bacteria infection; these tests were negative, and I was diagnosed with 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome'. I guess I would have accepted this diagnosis had it not been for my enlarged abdomen. I swear to you, it looked like I was 4-5 months pregnant! I therefore insisted on more tests
They took an X-ray of my abdomen; it was negative. I was again assured that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was encouraged to go on my scheduled month-long trip to Europe . I couldn't wear any of my slacks or shorts because I couldn't get them buttoned, and I KNEW something was radically wrong. I INSISTED on more tests, and they reluctantly) scheduled me for a CT-Scan (just to shut me up, I think). This is what I mean by 'taking charge of our own
health care.'
The CT-Scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal). Needless to say, I had to cancel my trip and have FIVE POUNDS of fluid drawn off at the hospital (not a pleasant experience I assure you), but NOTHING compared to what was ahead of me.
Tests revealed cancer cells in the fluid. Finally, finally, finally, the doctor ran a CA-125 blood test, and I was properly diagnosed.
I HAD THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS FOR OVARIAN CANCER, AND YET THIS SIMPLE CA-125 BLOOD TEST HAD NEVER BEEN RUN ON ME, not as part of my annual physical exam and not when I was symptomatic. This is an inexpensive and simple blood test!
PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INSIST ON A CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS.
Be fore warned that their doctors might try to talk them out of it, saying, 'IT ISN'T NECESSARY.' Believe me, had I known then what I know now, we would have caught my cancer much earlier (before it was a stage 3 cancer). Insist on the CA-125 BLOOD TEST; DO NOT take 'NO' for an answer!
The normal range for a CA-125 BLOOD TEST is between zero and 35. MINE WAS 754. (That's right, 754!). If the number is slightly above 35, you can have another done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just as women do when they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly elevated PSA test (Prostatic Specific Antigens) that helps diagnose prostate cancer.
Having the CA-125 test done annually can alert you early, and that's the goal in diagnosing any type of cancer - catching it early.
Do you know 55 women? If so, at least one of them will have this VERY AGGRESSIVE cancer. Please, go to your doctor and insist on a CA-125 test and have one EVERY YEAR for the rest of your life.
And forward this message to every woman you know, and tell all of your female family members and friends. Though the median age for this cancer is 56, (and, guess what, I'm exactly 56, women as young as 22 have it. Age is no factor.
A NOTE FROM THE RN:
Well , after reading this, I made some calls. I found that the CA-125 test is an ovarian screening test equivalent to a man's PSA test prostate screen (which my husband's doctor automatically gives him in his physical each year and insurance pays for it). I called the general practitioner's office about having the test done. The nurse had never heard of it. She told me that she doubted that insurance would pay for it. So I called Prudential Insurance Co, and got the same response Never heard of it - it won't be covered. I explained that it was the same as the PSA test they had paid for my husband for years. After con ferring with whomever they confer with, she told me
that the CA-125 would be covered.
It is $75 in a GP's office and $125 at the GYN's. This is a screening test that should be required just like a PAP smear (a PAP smear cannot detect problems with your ovaries). And you must insist that your insurance company pay for it.
Gene Wilder and Pierce Brosnan (his wife had it, too) are lobbying for women's health issues, saying that this test should be required in our physicals, just like the PAP and the mammogram. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND THIS OUT TO ALL THOSE YOU CAN. BE IT MALE OR FEMALE, IT SHOULD NOT MATTER, AS THEY CAN FORWARD IT ALSO TO THOSE LOVED ONES THEY
KNOW.
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FORWARDING SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS THIS, HERE'S A LITTLE HINT THAT MAY ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR DECISION ~ JUST PRETEND THAT THIS IS A JOKE, WHICH IT CERTAINLY IS NOT, AND SEND IT OUT TO ALL THE FOLKS YOU WOULD IF IT WAS. THANKS

Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossilbe before they were done.
Louis D Brandeis

Where are we going and why are we in this basket?

[SkydiveJack 1]

I remembered this from a while ago. I looked it up on Snopes. They call it False. The woman is real but her advice is apparently incorrect.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/ca125.asp

[Amazon 7]

I figure if a certain group of people who forward stuff like that on... and I have a couple of them who do that, You can BET that Snopes has already debunked it.

A certain DZO sends out stuff like that.

[d_squared431 0]

It isnt just ordering the tests. Any test can be ordered at any time if a patient requests it. The problem is if there isnt a reason (symptoms, family history, etc) it will be denied. Maybe the rate for the test if covered is 75 dollars but if it is not covered it can be 300 dollars plus.

People will bitch and complain that doctors order too many tests, then something like this pops up and now doctors are not ordering enough. This is why there are protocols and regulations to order spefic tests.

TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1
I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH
You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly

[turtlespeed 212]

Quote

It isnt just ordering the tests. Any test can be ordered at any time if a patient requests it. The problem is if there isnt a reason (symptoms, family history, etc) it will be denied. Maybe the rate for the test if covered is 75 dollars but if it is not covered it can be 300 dollars plus.

People will bitch and complain that doctors order too many tests, then something like this pops up and now doctors are not ordering enough. This is why there are protocols and regulations to order spefic tests.

Shouldn't they ask and let the option be decided on by the patient, or should the patient automatically know that the test.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[kbordson 8]

Quote

Quote

It isnt just ordering the tests. Any test can be ordered at any time if a patient requests it. The problem is if there isnt a reason (symptoms, family history, etc) it will be denied. Maybe the rate for the test if covered is 75 dollars but if it is not covered it can be 300 dollars plus.

People will bitch and complain that doctors order too many tests, then something like this pops up and now doctors are not ordering enough. This is why there are protocols and regulations to order spefic tests.

Shouldn't they ask and let the option be decided on by the patient, or should the patient automatically know that the test.

Yes and no.

First let me explain a little about this test.
The CA 125 is neither sensitive NOR specific for ovarian cancer. It's sometimes called the "ovarian cancer test" or the "endometriosis test" but it's really both and neither. The CA 125 is a marker for peritoneal irritation. The peritoneum is the lining that lies over the abdominal organs (like saran wrap that is just covering everything in there and letting it all move and slide) When that lining gets annoyed, it releases that protein. Many things can cause that number to bump: benign causes include normal menstruation (your period), endometriosis, uterine fibroids (benign tumors), pelvic inflammatory disease (infections), pancreatitis, and liver disease; malignant (cancer) causes are not just ovarian but also cancer of the uterus (endometrium), pancreas, intestines, lung, even breast.

So a positive test can really just ask a hell of a lot more questions than it would answer in a woman with no symptoms. That's why it's NOT a good screening test.

And... there's the whole insurance and cost effective thing.

We as doctors are often judged by our ability to predict the future. If it ends up being cancer... no one wants to wait until there's symptoms for cancer. Early detection is the expectation. BUT.... if it isn't and now you have this "cheap" test (even at $300) that is elevated... now it gets expensive. So now what? Schedule an ultrasound? Waht if the ultrasound is normal? Order a CT? what if the CT looks normal.... (add cost of CT and risk of radiation) ... do you now do a diagnostic laparoscopy (surgery to look in the abdomen)? (add on cost of surgical procedure and risk of infection/bleeding/injury to adjacent organs) Dx L/S looks normal... do you now just remove the ovaries even if they look normal? (risks of menopausal symptoms).... pathology comes back normal (no cancer)....

Now.... you've done a
CA125
Pelvic ultrasound
CT of the abdomen and pelvis with/without contrast
Diagnostic laparoscopy
Bilateral oopherectomy

all for normal ovaries

all at what cost and risk?

In many ways, I do give the patients choices.... but I also try to temper the counseling with individual risk factors.... something that those internet chain mails don't do.

If you have questions about tests like this, do ask your doctor.... but LISTEN to what he/she says. Don't just go in there thinking "I am entitled to have this test done." and definitely don't think that medicine is just that easy that we look at one blood test and will save every one.

[Niki1 1]

Quote

I remembered this from a while ago. I looked it up on Snopes. They call it False. The woman is real but her advice is apparently incorrect.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/ca125.asp

Thanks, Jack. Still got my back, I see. I'm going to put Snopes in my favorite list right next to DZ.com. And USE it.

Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossilbe before they were done.
Louis D Brandeis

Where are we going and why are we in this basket?