| Here is a
test I heard about; Please read and see what you think, this is not for
everyone but, could be useful to you.
Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) Test Overview Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a substance produced by the fallopian tubes, the endometrium, and the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). See an illustration of the female reproductive system. CA-125 is used as a tumor marker-an indicator of some types of cancer, especially ovarian cancer. The amount of CA-125 in a woman's blood and body fluids often increases when cancer of the ovaries is present. However, cancer antigen 125 is not used to screen for ovarian cancer because: Other conditions can also cause increased levels of CA-125, including
pregnancy, menstruation, some non-ovarian cancers, and some noncancerous
disorders. Why It Is Done The test for cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is used to: Help diagnose ovarian cancer. Tests in addition to CA-125 are usually
needed to make a definite diagnosis of cancer. How to Prepare No special preparation is required before having this test. How It Is Done The person drawing blood will wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to temporarily stop the flow of blood through the veins of your arm. This makes it easier to put the needle into a vein properly because the veins below the band get larger and do not collapse easily. The needle site is cleaned with alcohol and the needle is inserted. More than one needle stick may be needed if the needle is not properly placed or if the vein cannot supply enough blood. When the needle is properly placed in the vein, a collection tube will be attached to the needle and blood will flow into it. Sometimes more than one tube of blood is collected. When enough blood has been collected, the band around your arm will be removed. A gauze pad or cotton ball is placed over the puncture site as the needle is withdrawn. Pressure is applied to the puncture site for several minutes and then a small bandage is often placed over it. How It Feels You may feel nothing at all from the needle puncture, or you may feel a brief sting or pinch as the needle goes through the skin. Some people feel a stinging pain while the needle is in the vein. However, many people do not feel any pain (or have only minor discomfort) once the needle is positioned in the vein. The amount of pain you feel depends on the skill of the person drawing the blood, the condition of your veins, and your sensitivity to pain. Risks There is very little risk of complications from having blood drawn from a vein. You may develop a small bruise at the puncture site. You can reduce the risk of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes after the needle is withdrawn. Rarely, the vein may become inflamed after the blood sample is taken. This condition is called phlebitis and is usually treated with a warm compress applied several times daily. Continued bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood-thinning medications can also make bleeding more likely. If you have bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medication, tell the person before your blood is drawn. Results Normal
Greater than normal values may mean High levels of CA-125 can indicate cancer of the ovaries or surrounding
tissues (such as a fallopian tube or the endometrium). Other types of
cancer that can cause an increase in CA-125 include cancer of the pancreas,
stomach, esophagus, and liver. Smaller increases in CA-125 levels can
be caused by breast, colon, or lung cancer. Medications used to treat cancer can interfere with test results. The cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) test cannot distinguish between a cancerous
(malignant) or noncancerous (benign) ovarian tumor. However, an elevated
level of CA-125 is found in over three-quarters of women who have ovarian
cancer and in about one-quarter of women with benign ovarian tumors.
Linda M.Donahoe |