An existing blood test for ovarian cancer has been re-evaluated. The results are in

Whilst the CA 125 should be routine, let us not forget that it isn’t the be and end all. In 2016 I was diagnosed with Paraneoplastic Syndrome and refer by a Rheumatologist to a Gynaecologist because of the link to ovarian cancer. At the time my CA 125 was only 16 where I was told there was nothing to worry about. However, in 2020, I had surgery for advance low grade serous ovarian cancer – my CA 125 was only ever 20! All the warning signs were there for the medically trained but no one thought about looking at me as a whole. Looking back at my medical history from both NHS and Privately, if the links were made then not only my situation would be infinitely better but the cost to the NHS would be less.

Reassuring to read. I has abdominal pain twice last week and my dr referred me for a CAT125 blood test yesterday. Results today said its at 69, which is higher than it should be. Now been referred for a scan next week. Fingers crossed whatever it is is treatable! I survived breast cancer in 2008.

Fantastic news you do an amazing job

This test should be carried out as a routine on all women presenting with symptoms of bloating, sickness, constipation. Luckily for me my gp tested me immediately the result of which was a ca125 of 3501. I was diagnosed stage 3c high grade serous in May 2019. After extensive surgery including bowel resection and chemotherapy , i am now 11 months no evidence detected! Im so grateful to my doctor for sending me for testing immediately! Symptoms can be so non specific,

This test may be the easiest way to get too the bottom of my troubles. Without my mum now i can’t get the tests i need. My only option was her sister and she wont. (I respect her reasons). However i dont have the money for the genetics test.
Im so proud of all the research and the continued support.
Thank you all ❤️

My ovarion cancer was detected through ca125. I had scan and surgery done immediately when I was living in Malaysia and now I’m cancer free for 20 years.

Hi I’m Jules I lost my mum who was only 69 years old to a bravely fought 4 year battle to initially ovarian cancer. I’m an Intensive Care Nurse and people forget to talk to me like I’m her daughter too. However I spent so many special moments with my mum that I will never forget. She tried everything they offered her she tried all the research she could. I wouldn’t be who I am today without mymum xx

I had a total hysterectomy in1984 for ovarian cancer followed by radiotherapy. I am now 81
so I feel I have been very lucky and grateful to the treatment and follow up that I received.

I read an article about the CA125 blood test back in 2011 and believe it’s every woman’s right to be tested for Ovarian Cancer on a regular basis, just like mammograms. My lovely mum passed away with this cruel disease and I wanted to be re-assured this wasn’t going to happen to me, so I started requested regular CA125 blood tests from the year 2011 right up to January 2020 and thank goodness all my blood tests came back clear.
I passionately feel there should be more publicity on the CA125 blood test, so every single woman can be tested. Thanks for all your brilliant work you do for Cancer Research, it’s so much appreciated, thank you.

Had radical surgery in 2017 due to stage4 ovarian c – feel absolutely great now despite having a bag – which I call my bag for life. My Surgeons etc were absolutely fantastic and I am indebted to them.

All women should have this test just as we have our smear test especially those over 50

This is good news …so can we now ask our Gp to take a blood rest as routine check up?
Thankyou

Really eye opening and very informative and reassuring. Keep up the great work in keeping us all informed.

At 45 years old I was told that I had endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer however I have never had a high CA125 level once. I hope go do not diagnose ovarian cancer just by ca125 levels alone but every woman should have a scan urgently as well.

I took part in this trial & went to Llandudno once a year to give blood – the very last year an abnormality was detected turned out to be an ovarian cyst!! I was so impressed.

This is such an easy, non-invasive test that I hope that it will one day be made a routine test for all women especially those over 50. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1996. Surgery and chemo have meant I am still alive 24 years later. 5 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram. I have just received the all-clear proving that screening and early detection is vital in surviving cancer.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 11years ago I can’t praise the doctors and Macmillan enough.

A really good article, and a lot of good information in the comments section too. I will mention this blood test to my GP ( mainly for my wife and daughters ). Thank you everybody.

I am surprised to recently read about CA125 markers being found to indicate Ovarian cancer. Unfortunately I lost my wife to this disease over 16 years ago. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 24 years ago, and went into remission for nearly 5 years following surgery/treatment. Her consultant used her CA125 marker levels to check on her health, and every time Jane’s marker levels went up, the cancer was active.
I am a little surprised it has taken all this time to come to this conclusion. It seemed to me many years ago that there was a link.
I am not suggesting anything other than this should have been researched some years ago.

Be aware that increased CA125 can be due to other things – I had liver failure which caused a raised CA125 level but wasn’t in any way cancer related I had other signs of ovarian cancer – ascites plus a mother who had had ovarian cancer at a young age – the ovarian cancer diagnosis delayed the true cause of my illness being treated quickly

This is so good mine was raised can 125 it was 286 told by my gp I had ovarian cancer had M R I scan showed no masses on my ovaries I do have a mass in my uterus which is 8cm big told by a doctor I have uterine cancer M r I scan showed it looked more like a large fibroid than later diagnosed with breast cancer stagex1 which was a early cancer thanks you for your good work

Definitely – it is also an useful indicator as to whether treatment – especially chemo is working or not. My CA125 was 4000+ on diagnosis, down to. 357 after radical surgery and down to normal range 23 (should be below 35) after 3 rounds of chemo.

Do it… it would have definitely been detected in my blood as my number was 4,172

Excellent article. CA125 has been used for many years as a monoclonal antibody in Immunocytochemical staining methods to diagnose ovarian cancer metastases in Histopathology. Great breakthrough.

Awareness among GPs also needs to be raised. CA125 is an inexpensive test, and ultrasound is a relatively inexpensive scan. If GPs thought about ovarian cancer earlier in the diagnostic process it would help. Blood test for all women over 50 presenting with symptoms like IBS, and for younger women with persistent symptoms. I participate in a programme called Survivors Teaching Students, which aims to educate the GPs (and other doctors) of tomorrow. I never saw my GP, because I collapsed in excruciating pain and was admitted as an emergency. All the relevant tests were done in hospital. I was 48, had stage Ic disease and am still cancer free 14 years later.

GP awareness of the benefits of CA125 is key, as they are the first step to a referral and correct diagnosis. 2 of my GP’s on 4 visits and examinations over 4 weeks completely mis-diagnosed my symptoms. It took a 5th desperate insistance on my part to finally be referred for an ultra sound. Thankfully the Gynae team at my local hospital were amazing and I quickly received the essential care I needed. I now feel a desperation that the CA125 blood test and Ovarian C need more of a spot light