Abnormal cancer antigen test and symptoms

[Stressheadmumma]

Went to GP with change in bowel symptoms / wind and bloating. Want for bloods and now the CA125 test has come back abnormal and being sent for urgent ultrasound.

I have stomach pain every night and don’t feel this is ovary related and really want endoscopy and colonoscopy but need to check ovarian cancer first.

has anyone had bowel symptoms start as they’re in peri menopause as I’ve read to do with this. It’s starting to get me down.

If you have endometriosis or fibroids, if you’re on your period or have kidney or liver issues + more, it can cause raised CA125. It’s only more reliable when someone is post menopause. They will do a scan and retest the CA125. Hopefully it will come back down and scan will be normal.
If CA125 keeps rising, then it has a higher probability of cancer but still not reliable. They will hopefully rule this out and you can request a colonoscopy next.

It won’t do any harm to go on the FODMAP diet while you wait for your appointments

@Terrytheweasel
yes I think cyst likely ass had before. Just then doesn’t explain my stomach symptoms but hopefully they’ll do colonoscopy after.

I’ve had similar issues and went on the Fodmap diet. it resolved my stomach issues quite quickly. It’s recommended on the NHS and won’t do you any harm to try.

@Terrytheweasel
how long did you stay on this? Forever or it can then get better?

It is fairly common for ovarian cancer symptoms to present as bowel related. This was unfortunately the case for me and i was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer aged 45. My main symptoms were abdominal pain and bloating. I had a bowel resection as part of my debulking surgery.

CA125 tests can be unreliable. Some people have low numbers and still have ovarian cancer. High numbers can be due to inflammation in your body and also because of ovarian cancer. I wish my GP had looked at ovarian cancer first instead of ibd or gluten intolerance.

Has your GP done a bowel FIT test?

@twointhemorning sorry you’re going through this. Yes they did all bowel tests including fit one. Waiting for my pelvic uotrasound in couple of weeks. Had MRI on pelvis about 18 months ago as previously thought they saw something abnormal on scan but turned out to be nothing so hoping they were right back then and just have to wait for scan.

Was the FIT test negative? If all bowel tests negative why do you want a colonoscopy? (Genuine question).

I think it was 4 - 6 weeks. You’re not meant to stay on it any longer than that. I think the minimum is 2 weeks.
I’d highly recommend trying it

@Terrytheweasel ok thanks