Hi there and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear you are currently undergoing some tests and appreciate what an anxious time this must be for you.

All cancers are different and grow at different rates. Even if this mass is cancerous it will be difficult for the doctors to predict how long it may have been there for.

A ca125 level measures inflammation in the pelvis that can be caused by many different things but cannot be used on it's own to diagnose. This is why depending on the symptoms usually an ultrasound is also required to check out the pelvic organs in that area alongside a ca125. Some people can have a high ca125 and no cancer, others may have a low ca125 and still found to have cancer. It isn't an effective test on it's own in diagnosing ovarian cancer, I'm afraid.

I really hope you know more very soon and that everything turns out okay for you.

Please get back in touch if needed or if you would rather speak over the phone, our number is 0808 800 4040 and we're here weekdays 9-5.

All the best

Naomi

Once your GP puts in a referral for a cancer alert, the NHS should carry out all the ultrasound, CT and MRI scans together with any biopsies and an agreed treatment plan between the oncology doctor (who is part of the MDT with clincal nurses, radiologists, surgeons, etc.) within 62 days for treatment to commence. If it is confirmed (an it is only an 'if' at this stage) that cancer is present otherwise you will be referred back to the gynaecology department and go on a waiting list for further monitoring or surgery to remove the mass. The CA125 biomarker can only be used to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment if it is the cancer that has raised it in the first place where it should reduce back to normal levels once the chemotherapy treatment has started).