Why is the CA-125 blood test to check for ovarian cancer not part of a woman’s yearly checkup?
My sister-n-law has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had a pap smear about 2 years ago. Maybe if the CA-125 blood test was part of the normal check-up woman could be diagnosed sooner. And why isn’t there more information given to women to tell them that a pap smear does not test for ovarian cancer just cervical cancer.
The CA-125 test is not designed to be a screening test to detect ovarian cancer. I wish we had one. This test is strictly to monitor a patient. It is not a confirmation test either. Diagnostic is strictly on histology/ pathology samples.
The are also a good percentage of Ovarian cancers that do not produce that specific tumor marker.
I am sorry to say this, but right now there is nothing better to screen than a thin- pap test.
I am 20+ year in the medical technology field
yes..CA125 isn’t screening test..its follow test for ovarian cancer…
PAP smear is done for CERVIX(upper part of uterus)
Because it is not a a suitable screening test for ovarian cancer!!
Look at the facts: –
1. Only about 85% of all women with ovarian cancer have raised CA125
2. Only 50% of women with early stage ovarian cancer have raised CA125
3. Women with other conditions can also have raised CA125
So if you did the test and it was negative, you couldn’t say for definite you DON’T have it, and if it was postive you couldn’t say for definite that you DO have it.
So then it’s just a big fat waste of money, drain on resources, and potentially a cause of unnecessary complacency/worry for patients.