CA125 test results

[Ponyboyisgold]

I have been referred to have a scan under the two week wait pathway due to unusual bleeding after the menopause. I have had my CA125 blood test results back and they are 23, which is great.

I know that this does not rule out cancer and that nobody can give me answers, but it would be great to hear other people's experiences as this has triggered my anxiety quite badly, I do not like hospitals and medical examinations. What are the chances of this still being caused by cancer if my CA125 results are normal? I guess I am looking for reassurance before my appointment, but would be really grateful to hear other about other's experiences.

I hope all goes well with your appointment.

I've been down that pathway twice in the last year for the same reason. It wasn't cancer either time, just needed the HRT tweaked.

It is very very unlikely to be cancer, there are so many other things it can be.

I had a bit of post-menopause bleeding. I was on HRT.

Referred for a procedure to take a biopsy of the lining of my womb. It wasn't pleasant but it wasn't 'painful'.

I got the results a week or so later - all normal.

As far as I am aware, CA125 is normal if it's less than 35.

A friend of mine was diagnosed with a uterine carcinoma last year and her CA125 at the time was nearly 300.

I hope all these facts help to reassure you.

Good luck for your test and result - do check back in, won't you.

Sending you love x

Hi OP, I’ve literally just been through this process myself. My scan was on Friday and thankfully all was fine — hoping yours is too. My CA125 was under the threshold and I knew this before the scan, as you do, but it’s still nerve wracking of course. It sounded to me from the limited reading I did that cancer would be unusual with a normal CA125 but it will be good to go and get it all checked out. One thing: did they tell you there is a chance they’ll do an internal ultrasound? At my appointment they first did the ultrasound of my stomach but apparently they can get a much more accurate picture from an internal scan. It wasn’t bad - not as painful as a smear but still a bit awkward obviously. I took a painkiller beforehand as I often find smears rather uncomfortable. Like you I get quite anxious in such settings but the staff were lovely. The good news is they’ll be able to see straight away if anything doesn’t look right and they told me there and then that it all looked fine. The speed of the appointment is down to targets, but it means you will soon hopefully have your mind put to rest. Best wishes to you.

Thank you everyone for your replies I really appreciate it, it helps.

@Justlurkingmostly thank you, yes, I've had a letter telling me that I will need an internal scan, really not looking forward to it! Do you know if my DH will be able to come in to the room with me for support during the scans?

Hi there, I went in alone but I don’t see why not if you explain you’d like his support. The internal scan while mildly unpleasant will allow them to see a really detailed picture so it’s actually good to get it done - and it was very quick! Good luck xx

Try not to worry too much about the medical examinations (easier said than done I know!) because it may be more straightforward than you anticipate. I’ve been investigated recently for abnormal bleeding and a large ‘complex’ ovarian cyst. The only tests I needed to have were the blood tests and the abdominal ultrasounds. I opted not to have the internal scan as the sonographer said that she could see what she needed to on the regular ultrasound. I would suggest drinking plenty of water and hoping for the best!

My situation was slightly different in that I was pre/perimenopausal which makes the cancer risk lower. There was talk of removing the ovary along with the cyst (which would have been keyhole surgery) but I chose to monitor and the cyst shrank and disappeared by itself. All the hospital staff were respectful at all stages. Don’t be afraid to say if you feel anxious or uncomfortable about a procedure, you will not be the first person to have felt that way.

The majority of people who have these investigations do not have cancer and the normal CA125 is a good sign too.