The Ovarian Cancer Link

DJC
DJC Member Posts: 52
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I've been made aware of my increased risk for developing ovarian cancer. I have boned up on the symptoms and have passed my previous pelvic exams - my question of the group - can I request a CA125 test prior to starting my chemotherapy regimen this coming Thursday or will this test taken at this time result in a false positive? I had mastectomy surgery on June 11th to remove the breast with my primary tumor and 1 cancerous sentinel node (the balance of my dissected axillary nodes were negative). Thanks in advance for your replies. Donna

Comments

  • jfsnowflake
    jfsnowflake Member Posts: 15
    #2
    Hopefully the next responder will fully answer your question. I had a mastectomy in 1995 at the age of 33. My increased concern with ovarian cancer lead me to just complete the removal of my ovaries, a laproscopic procedure that went very well. Of course, I am 41 and was already on a drug that made my ovaries think I was in menopause. I look forward to seeing the answer to your question. Hoping that your chemo goes well and praying that you will gain strength with each day.
    Jane
  • DJC
    DJC Member Posts: 52
    #3
    jfsnowflake said:

    Hopefully the next responder will fully answer your question. I had a mastectomy in 1995 at the age of 33. My increased concern with ovarian cancer lead me to just complete the removal of my ovaries, a laproscopic procedure that went very well. Of course, I am 41 and was already on a drug that made my ovaries think I was in menopause. I look forward to seeing the answer to your question. Hoping that your chemo goes well and praying that you will gain strength with each day.
    Jane

    Thank you, Jane, for replying to my message. My first chemo session went as well as could be expected - no nausea until early this morning and I nipped that in the bud with Compazine. I inquired of my oncologist yesterday about the reliability of the CA125 test - he said that in his experience it has been quite unreliable, so I am thinking that I will request of my surgeon the same procedure that you had done. I am currently going through a DNA screening to see if I carry 1 or both of the breast cancer gene mutations. I am 46 and both of my grandmothers died of ovarian and bilateral breast cancer before the age of 50. Like you, I would rather be proactive than reactive. Wishing you all the best, Donna
  • slamaj
    slamaj Member Posts: 19
    #4
    DJC said:

    Thank you, Jane, for replying to my message. My first chemo session went as well as could be expected - no nausea until early this morning and I nipped that in the bud with Compazine. I inquired of my oncologist yesterday about the reliability of the CA125 test - he said that in his experience it has been quite unreliable, so I am thinking that I will request of my surgeon the same procedure that you had done. I am currently going through a DNA screening to see if I carry 1 or both of the breast cancer gene mutations. I am 46 and both of my grandmothers died of ovarian and bilateral breast cancer before the age of 50. Like you, I would rather be proactive than reactive. Wishing you all the best, Donna

    Donna, I don't know if this helps or not but I am 53, had a hysterectomy 18 years ago where they left my ovaries. I have finished chemo, A/C& Taxotere, 8 rounds and will soon be starting Arimidex. I had a 1.5cm tumor with only 1 positive node, then mastectomy with an expander.I have had the BRCA testing and no mutation was found. However, the onc considers me to have a strong familial cancer history so we are currently in the process of getting me scheduled to have my ovaries taken out. My mom and grandmother died from breast cancer, and two aunts from ovarian cancer, and I had a early carcinoma of the cervix before the hysterectomy. The oncologist felt the CA125 would be kind of redundant in my case, so I have made the decision to yank the ovaries. For me, I feel as if it is heading off another potential problem.So proactive is the way I'm going. Good luck to you through your chemo and in whatever choices you find yourself having to make. Julene
  • mmkropp
    mmkropp Member Posts: 2
    #5
    Donna, I would certainly request the test (although you may have already started your chemo, I would still ask for it). I insisted on it although my sitiuation usually means breast cancer. I read on MDAnderson site that it doesn't detect all ovarian cancers, but of course, it will some. I have a friend with the breast cancer gene, and her physician recommended a total hystorectomy. She's now meeting with an oncologist about a mastectomy as both her sisters, her mother, and her aunts have all had breast cancer. I'm on here as I have unknown primary cancer--had a malignant axillary node, but no tumors show on any kind of scan or MRI. As one pathologist said most test results point to ovarian, I'm wanting my ovaries removed. (MDAnderson's pathologists diagnosed me as squamous cell, probably lung.) Ask all your questions! Stay proactive. Marilyn

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