CA125 result - has anyone else had a ‘normal but ‘ result?

[Okitsme]

I’ve just had the blood test result back as normal, no further action required on my notes, but when you read the actual results it says it’s 23Ku/L - within the 0-34 normal range but that cancer cannot be ruled out so if symptoms continue reassess. What does this actually mean?
The test was done to dot i’s and cross t’s because of IBS that is stress based and so this is not going to help!

The CA125 test is a test for ovarian cancer.
Normal levels are anything under 35.

All sorts of things can cause it to increase that are not down to cancer e.g. fibroid, infection, periods etc. Because of this it is seen as an unreliable measure on it's own, so they would look at the numbers increasing over time.

They will also look at other symptoms you are experiencing and perhaps carry out scans such as CT scans and ultrasound.

For some women the CA125 is not reliable and will be low even if they have cancer.

Unfortunately it's quite common for women with ovarian cancer to be fobbed off with an IBS diagnosis (I was)

In your situation, I'd push for the CA125 test to be repeated in a month to 6 weeks to see if it increases. Target Ovarian Cancer have a symptom diary you could complete.

Thanks for this. I havent heard from my doctor yet, just read the results online. It actually says no further action, it’s only when you look at the details that you see the referral to the NICE guidelines. I’ve suffered from IBS for decades but a close friend was found to have Stage 4 ovarian cancer three months after an IBS diagnosis so I am very conscious that mistakes can be made.