What is the CA-125 Blood Test? Does it tell about cancer?

Has your doctor told you to take a CA-125 blood test? You may have felt a little scared and nervous when he said that. "Is this a test to look for cancer?" "What is CA-125?" Many questions may have come to mind. Don't worry. In this article, we will talk about everything about this CA-125 test in a very simple and friendly way.

Simply put, what is CA-125?

CA-125 is actually a protein found in our bodies. To be precise, its full name is Cancer Antigen 125. But even though the word "Cancer" is in the name, this protein is not always associated with cancer.

This protein, CA-125, is what we call a biomarker in medicine. Think of it like a signboard on the road. That signboard tells us that there is a bend, a hill, or something else ahead. That's what a biomarker is. It gives us a clue, a sign, about a certain disease or condition in our body.

The CA-125 blood test measures how much of this CA-125 protein is in your blood. Usually, when a woman has ovarian cancer, the level of this CA-125 protein in the blood can increase. That is the main connection between the two.

So can this test tell exactly if there is cancer?

This is where many people get it wrong. No. The CA-125 test alone cannot tell with 100% certainty whether someone has ovarian cancer or not.

There are two reasons for this:

1. False Positive: Sometimes, your CA-125 levels can be elevated even if you don't have cancer. Just like when you're toasting bread at home and the smoke alarm goes off as soon as you see a little smoke. That doesn't mean your house is on fire, right? Similarly, other non-cancerous health conditions can also cause your CA-125 levels to be elevated. We'll talk about that later.

2. False Negative: Also, some women may have normal CA-125 levels even though they have ovarian cancer.

So, in what situations do doctors use this test?

CA-125 is not a magic test that can be used alone. It is like one piece of a larger puzzle. Doctors combine it with other tests (such as an ultrasound scan) and symptoms to come to a conclusion. There are several main uses for this test.

Who is specifically recommended to have the CA-125 test?

Your doctor will recommend this test if you suspect you have ovarian cancer, or if you are already being treated for it. Additionally, this test may be important if you are in a high-risk group for ovarian cancer.

Who belongs to this high-risk category?

• People with BRCA gene mutations: Simply put, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two types of genes that help control the growth of cancer cells in our body. If there is a defect or mutation in these genes, the risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer is significantly higher than others.
• People with a family history of ovarian cancer: If a close blood relative, such as your mother, sister, or daughter, has had ovarian cancer, your risk may also be slightly increased.
• People who have previously had ovarian cancer: For those who have previously had this disease and have been treated and cured, this test is very important to monitor the risk of it recurring.

How is this test done and how should you prepare for it?

This is the simplest and easiest part of the process. CA-125 is a simple blood test .

• A nurse will take a small blood sample from a vein in your arm.
• When the needle is inserted, you will feel a slight electric shock, but it only lasts for a few seconds.
• The entire process takes no more than a few minutes.
• There is no need to fast or make any other special preparations before this test.

This is generally a very safe test. Some people may experience a slight blueness or a slight tingling sensation where the blood was drawn. However, this is very rare.

Are there other reasons besides cancer for an elevated CA-125 level?

Yes, there definitely is. There are many cases of "false positives" or falsely high values ​​that we talked about earlier. This is why we say not to worry about an elevated CA-125 level.

Here are some conditions that are not cancer, but can cause elevated CA-125 levels:

• Menstruation: This value may naturally increase slightly during menstruation.
• Pregnancy: CA-125 levels may increase during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
• Endometriosis: A condition in which tissue that should grow inside the uterus grows outside the uterus (e.g., on the ovaries).
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Infections of the reproductive system.
• Uterine Fibroids: These are a common type of non-cancerous tumor.
• Liver Disease: Liver conditions such as cirrhosis.
• Other types of cancer: This value can also be elevated in other types of cancer, such as pancreatic and fallopian tube cancers.

This is why we say that CA-125 is just one piece of the puzzle. Only your doctor can weigh all of this and come to an accurate conclusion regarding your situation.

How to understand the test report?

The CA-125 value will be listed on the report you receive. Normal ranges may vary slightly between laboratories. However, in general, a CA-125 value of less than 35 units per milliliter (35 U/mL) is considered normal.

Doctors don't just look at one report. Especially when monitoring cancer treatment, they do a series of tests . That is, the trend is what's important to them: is this value decreasing, increasing, or staying the same over time?

• If the value gradually decreases: This means that the treatment is successful.
• If the value suddenly increases: It may be a sign of a recurrence or progression of the disease.

If the CA-125 value is high, what happens next?

If your CA-125 level is high, your doctor will order other tests to further clarify the situation. It's like a detective using one piece of evidence to look for more evidence.

Some of the tests that may be ordered for this purpose are:

• Transvaginal Ultrasound Scan: A very clear examination of the ovaries and uterus using a small instrument inserted through the vagina.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan: Obtaining detailed images of the body's internal organs.
• Repeat CA-125 test: This test is done again after a while to see if there is a change in the value.

Only after all of this will the doctor come to a definitive conclusion about your condition.

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