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Blood Tests

Casandra1
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Hi,

I have been having some problems with my ovaries and after an ultra sound and internal scan, i was told i have an adhesion. My left ovary has stuck to my uterus. This happened after I had emergency C section 2 years ago. I was also told that i have endometriosis that has subsequently grown over the adhesion.

My Dr has arranged for me to have a CA125 blood test for ovarian cancer. Would this mean she suspects it based on my scans? I have not had a biopsy or any other scan or procedure as yet, although my dr did say i have the options after the blood results to eithe have a laprascopy or mirena inserted. BUT this all depends on the blood test outcome. I dont want to make myself more anxious but at the same time i want to be mindful of what this could mean for me and my family. My grandmother had lymphatic cancer and two of my aunts had breast cancer. I am 38 years old if that is a factor to consider. Would anyone have advice for me? I am very worried because a dr would surely not order such a test if they did not have concerns?

 

casandra

  • Hi Casandra, and thank you for posting. 

    I'm sorry you are having these concerns about your health, and hopefully you will get the answers soon to what is exactly going on, but I will answer your questions how I can.

    Doctors often order blood tests to go along side scans so that they can get a full picture of what may be happening and CA125 levels are often assessed along with pelvic ultrasound scans, so this may have more to do with being thorough than anything else. I think if your doctor were really concerned, they would have given you a warning shot when they seem to have mentioned options for treating endometriosis. .

    Ovarian cancer is unusual in women who are pre menopausal, and is not necessarily related to other cancers unless there is a known cancer gene fault in the family. So your family history of lymph and breast cancer may not have an effect on your own health, but it is understandable to feel concerned.

    The CA 125 blood test isn't a cancer diagnosing blood test, but a test which tells the doctor how much of a certain protein is in the pelvic area. This protein is released when there is irritation and inflammation which can be due to several things like endometriosis, ovarian cyst, fibroids, as well as cancer. This means the levels can be raised for many different reasons.

    For now it is waiting to see what your team decide to do next, which I appreciate leads to feelings of anxiety, but hopefully you will know more soon. 

    Take care,

    Sarah.

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Sarah

    Thank you Sarah,

    I appreciate your help. I think I was thrown because of the wording my Dr used and she was maybe just trying to help me understand the test but she said it was "to check if its cancer" so naturally I have been driving myself mad with that ever since. All I can do is wait and I am grateful for this platform.

     

    Kind regards

    Casandra

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