CA125

[MoorMummy]

My sister (51) mentioned a few weeks ago, in fact a few times, that she was off her food, felt like she had indigestion and wasn’t hungry. Also complaining of tiredness ( we are both hypothyroid so that’s not unusual though I don’t suffer as mine is better managed.

The feeling full whilst not eating rang a bell as a potential ovarian cancer symptom , I mentioned it albeit played it down but told her to go to GP.

To the GP’s credit he did do the CA125 test ( I know sometimes doctors fob women off) and she’s now had an appointment to go for a scan in 2 weeks? Is this a bad sign? I’m now really worried though google does mention a few other conditions which the test/scan might identify?

Any experiences/advice welcome and appreciated. TIA

This is totally standard treatment for your sisters symptoms, totally the right thing to do, the scan will be to take a look at her ovaries and uterus to see if there’s anything obviously amiss, if there is she will get a 2 week referral to a gyne, even if there’s something wrong the chances of cancer are small, it could be cysts, polyps or fibroids or many other things, she’s doing the right thing getting checked out. Hope she’s ok.

Thanks Rosie! That’s good to hear. So glad I nagged her to go, she’s got three kids who run her ragged and she does tend to put herself last! I’m praying and keeping fingers crossed x

What was her CA125 result OP? Anything under 35 is fine, there's obviously a margin above that. But it's only a marker of some kind of inflammation within the body - a high reading doesn't necessarily mean OC, it could be cysts or any number of things. I hope it isn't OC (I have it). Happy to help if you have any questions.

I don’t think she’s been told TQ, she’s just had a letter from the hospital?

Her GP will be able to tell her, though it is only a marker so on its own it's not necessarily significant. The scan (ultrasound?) will reveal a mass if there is one - cysts are different though, I'm not sure what the procedure is for those. The scan is a good first step.

TQ first chance I’ve had to get back on here , it occurred to me that you have OC and I didn’t even acknowledge that , I feel awful . Really hope your treatment works and thanks to you and the other poster who replied that’s really appreciated x

OP, I've been through similar this year on the ovarian cancer pathway. Presented to GP with lots of vague gynae discomfort/general tiredness/bloating. I think the thing to remember is that it's obviously best practice to rule out cancer first, even though there are dozens of more common and less serious things that can present like this.

I was advised by my gynaecologist when I had a CA125 of 70 odd that it's simply a marker of inflammation, and as I definitely had something amiss down there it was to be expected. In the event, I have some complex cysts which turned out to be endometriosis, diagnosed via MRI.

Hey Turn! Good to see you too. Weather is gorgeous here as well - mild, sunny, light breeze. Just been out for a walk trying to get other people's dogs to come up to me for a stroke .

Hi Moor tx but don't worry about me - your DSIS is your priority.

TQ that’s so nice of you. She managed to get a cancellation so is going tomorrow , much better not to be waiting and having it hanging over her. I’ll let you know and also Turn glad you got a diagnosis and hopefully some treatment.

All the best for your sisters scan! The CA125 is a marker, not a diagnosis. It can increase with other conditions as well such as fibroids, PID and benign tumours. Hopefully the scan will tell more and that there is nothing to worry about

Thanks Time! I’m praying hard 🙏🏻

Quick update! She had external and internal scans, nothing abnormal detected. They found a small issue that can easily be fixed. Phew.

Thanks to everyone who commented and best wishes for your recoveries TQ and Turn.

Great news! Wishing you and your sister all the best.

That's great news OP! I'm very glad your DSIS picked up on the potential symptoms and acted on them. More people need to do this (I didn't). Best wishes.

Thanks ,what lovely ladies you are, will be in my thoughts and prayers going forward.