Elevated CA125 blood test

Hi guys,

I contacted my GP 3 weeks ago over symptoms of PMS.  I was on my period and I felt (as always) itchy, irritated, bloated, tired and general crap.  I was seeking out a treatment plan or help for PMS but my GP took a different questioning route. 
She queried: Pain during sex? Yes. Bleeding during cycle? Yes. Firm bloated feeling to abdomen? Yes. 
 

She wanted bloods and to conduct an internal exam. So I went for my bloods 2 weeks ago and the next day visited my GP.  She conducted internal exam and all was fine, said cervix looked and felt fine but mentioned the bloating of my stomach on abdo exam.  She checked my blood results and although my hormone results weren't back at that stage she did a 'oh wow' response to the CA125.  I didn't have a clue what it meant so she explained this was an ovary cancer marker and my result was at 140 where a normal marker is I think she said less than 30?

 

She referred me for an urgent scan under 2 week rule which I haven't heard from the hospital about yet at all so I will chase back up with my GP tomorrow. But can I ask has anyone else had similar symptoms to me above with similar blood result and have any information or advice they'd be willing willing to share ? Thank you. 

  • Hi my dear search for me under people tab RueB I have posted some lengthy posts regarding something similar i am going through feel free to read and reach out to me if you would like to talk x

  • Oh thank you so much, I will search now thank you xx

  • Hi I too went to the Docs last year  for something unrelated ,actually it was for continuous diarrhea and weight loss ,after blood tests I had a call to say CA125 was elevated and that it could be ovarian cancer ,I immediately went into shock and started crying on the phone ,he booked me in for a hysteroscopy and colonoscopy to keep the story short it turned out to be nothing too serious as he'd already told me it could be many other things other than cancer ,after those tests and biopsies I was given the all clear so its more likely to be something else in your case too .

  • Hi,

    thanks so much for your reply.  Yeah I'm certain it will be something else, to be honest with you I left the GP appointment to my husband waiting in the car outside.  I informed him of what was said in the consultation and we both pretty much dismissed the idea of cancer immediately. I'll chase up the scan to be on the safe side, but hoping this will confirm no cancer and push the GP to help my PMS lol. Thanks again xx

  • Just an update. 
     

    The hospital didn't contact me so I phoned yesterday.  Administrator said The CA125 blood form wasn't uploaded with the referral so had me chasing the GP surgery myself.  GP administrator very accommodating, fixed everything for me. 
    Waited a few hours and phoned hospital back to query. Same administrator and she basically told me it would be at least 3 months until seen.  I explained the GP told me it was an urgent referral under 2 week rule for a scan, and she stayed silent and then basically said 'no'. 
     

  • Hi Clarke18, just read your post & think if your not seen within 2 weeks go back to GP let them know still waiting.  I had to do this when I was referred.  Success 4 days later I had xray 3 days after met surgeon had ultrasound& biopsy taken. Not quite the same ,mine was for breast cancer. Wish you luck pip.

  • Thanks Pip for the advice, really appreciate it. 
    I hope you're doing good xx

  • Update 

    Hospital phoned me yesterday morning for urgent scan, attended yesterday afternoon.  Had a 'normal' ultrasound and then an internal ultrasound.  Sonographer was lovely, very patient and kind.  I asked if anything looked untoward and she said she couldn't see anything immediately that looked concerning but would go through images and send report to GP.

    She was incredibly shocked however at the state of my bowels lol.  She asked me both times to press firmly on my stomach when she inspected the ovaries as she couldn't see them at all because my bowels were apparently massive.  
    She said it was actually shocking the size of them (my bowels).  I did explain constipation was a massive concern of mine and I was currently symptomatic that may explain my god awful bloating lol. 
    Will update when I hear from the GP.  Sonographer said approx 2 weeks.