What are the CA-125 Tests? A Comprehensive Guide.

The CA – 125 tests are taken through sampling a patient’s blood and taking measurements on the total amount of the protein cancer antigen – 125. This specific protein is used for the evaluation of several cancers and takes note of any irregularities prior to the treatment and after the treatment to ensure there are no further complications. In some rather rare cases, CA – 125 can also be used for finding out very early signs of potential patients who have shown a very high risk of contracting ovarian cancer, too.  Although this rarely ever happens simply due to the sheer amount of changes the body can undergo because of the many conditions that may be present which can significantly increase the number of CA -125 protein present in the blood. It is essentially a bio-marker that lets medical professionals know whether there is a disease or condition in the body, especially in women. The process in which the CA – 125 protein is made has multiple variations, such as being formed from the reproductive organs’ cells, cells that are connected to both the abdomen walls and chest cavity, and lastly, cancerous tumor cells.

What is the CA – 125 Test used for?

The importance of this protein test has several important purposes, such as:

Tracking Ovarian Cancer

Although it is uncommon for doctors to use this protein for keeping ovarian cancer at bay, it is still a good treatment for cancer patients in general. If there is a decline in production of CA -125 that means the treatment is doing a great job lessening the risks and a rising level would mean that the test had little to no effect on the cancer or has not even reacted to the test.

If you want to understand how certain fevers or infections may impact your overall health during cancer diagnosis, check out An Overview of Fever and its Effects in the Body.

A Returning Occurrence

This is particularly meant for patients who have already been treated for cancer. They are required for frequent testing of CA – 125 to ensure that the cancer has not returned. If there is a spike in CA – 125 levels, that likely indicates that the cancer has made its way back.

Taking note of symptoms

This is also catered more towards women, as the symptoms that can affect them are having a bloated stomach, terrible pains in the pelvic regions, or even excess amounts of vaginal bleeding that occur in a frequent manner. Doctors would then recommend that this test should also be added for a much broader diagnostic process that can lead to much better answers as to what the problem might be.

Extra Care for Individuals with higher risks

In very specific high risk individuals, especially women who have a familial history of contracting any type of ovarian and breast cancer, this test can often be combined with other tests of a much better outlook for potential signs of ovarian cancer.

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How can CA -125 tests be performed?

The preparation process for CA – 125 tests are known to be relatively simple to follow, as it simply involves the drawing of blood from a patient, but there are a few precautionary measures that need to be taken prior to the test itself.

The Preparation

• For this test, no fasting is required or needed.
• You can eat and drink as much as you want until and unless your doctor or a medical professional tells you to.

The test itself

• A professionally licensed healthcare provider will bring you to a separate room where they take a clean and sterilized needle and take a small sample of the patient’s blood from a specific vein on their arm.
• This process is known to be very quick, on an average, it takes up to 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and you hardly feel a thing throughout the entire process aside from a very small prick.
• There are some cases where some small and noticeable bruises and punctures can be seen and even felt by the patient before it is quickly resolved in a matter of minutes.

Post-Test

• There is no recovery time needed for this test, and you will be free to leave after the sample has been taken.
• You are also asked to resume your daily activities after the test has been administered.

Timings of the results

• On average, the results of your test and its timings may vary between 24 to 48 hours at most, and this is primarily dependent on the type of lab that took your CA – 125 tests.

Know the CA – 125 Report

• The report of the CA – 125 test can show you the exact amount of the protein that is present in your blood. This is mostly used in measurement of Units per milliliter or U/ml.

The Normal Range

• The normal ranges of the CA – 125 proteins that can be found in a report are below or around 35U/ml.
• There are, however, slightly different ranges of normal units per milliliter, depending on the type of labs they are being processed by.

What is the way to interpret these results?

A very simple and easy manner in which the interpretation can be surmised by is through the different levels that the report can come back with. If the CA – 125 unit levels are 35 or lower, it generally means that the body is without any form of cancer. If, by any chance, the unit level goes higher than 35, it would be a good time to consult a family doctor or a medical professional, as the risks for gaining cancer or other very serious non-cancerous conditions are much greater.

What is a high level of CA – 125 caused by?

There are several very serious conditions that can raise the levels of CA – 125 within the body, such as the following.

• Ovarian cancer
• Endometriosis
• Menstruation
• PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
• Pregnancy
• Cirrhosis (Liver Disease)
• Fibroids and other tumors in the pelvic region

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It should also be known that a high amount of CA – 125 units present in the body may not always be linked to cancer, and a normal dosage of the same will never have any guarantee of the prevention of diseases.

Prices for CA – 125 tests in India

The prices of a regular CA – 125 test will always be dependent on the where you live, what kind of medical healthcare institute or hospital you went to, if you wanted to go for a home sample collection instead of going directly to the healthcare institute yourself, and if it is in a larger cancer treatment panel that has a multitude of other similar tests against cancer.

Approximate Prices for Tests in different areas in India

For a very local lab that has basic diagnostics and equipment, the prices generally vary from Rs.400 to at most Rs. 700. Then there are national healthcare chains, which prices raise from Rs. 700 to at most Rs. 1000, and offer a much healthier and safer option for receiving tests in a sterilized environment. Lastly, there are the premium diagnostics offered only by some of the most advanced diagnostic centers in India, with both the test and the environment being some of the best the country can offer, and the prices soar from Rs. 1000 to above Rs. 1500+ at only the best institutions. Having your blood test be taken at home can also be very efficient with most prices varying between Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 approximately. There are also some online websites are at is willing to offer plenty of discount packages that can cater to a number of tests, and that includes the CA – 125 test, so by checking the websites of several healthcare institutes and hospitals, you have the ability to select which package suits your preferences the best and then proceed forward.

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When should I be taking CA – 125 tests?

Your doctors can give you certain recommendations on when you are required for having a CA – 125 test if you happen to be experiencing any of these symptoms or are undergoing some treatment down below.

• A bloated stomach may indicate some issues related to AC – 125 displacements in the blood/body.
• You are experiencing abdominal or pelvic pain that may be related to cancer.
• Have major amounts of weight-loss with no explanation whatsoever.
• You may feel very full even if you have barely had anything of sustenance to eat yet, that too at an alarmingly quick pace.
• A woman having an irregular menstrual cycle.
• Receiving treatment for ovarian cancer, this can lead to some unnecessary amounts of CA – 125 units being displaced throughout the body.
• You have a mass or cyst near or within your pelvic and ovarian sections.
• Anyone in your family who may have had or are experiencing ovarian cancer as well.

Do take note that the tests related to CA – 125 are all meant to be viewed as a guiding decision, not a solution. There must also be several ultrasounds to be done, CT scans to be taken and even biopsies that may contain crucial insight to the current status of your body, depending on what the doctor says.

Looking for insights into hormone-related conditions that may overlap with women’s health concerns? Read Thyroid in Hindi. 

Some Final yet Important Tips to keep in mind before attending the CA – 125 Test

Always ask the Doctor

Before even attempting this very test, it is recommended to consult your doctor on whether this test is actually necessary for your overall health and wellbeing.

Compare the best prices

By comparing some of the prices offered for a CA – 125 test with other websites that offer the same options in the test, you will be able to quickly narrow down the perfect price point that suits your tastes while also gaining the trust from some of the best websites in India.

Look for the best equipment

NABL credited labs will only have the best equipment that is known for some of the most reliable results in India that share both quality and accuracy.

Always Follow up

Going for constant follow-ups after the test will ensure much better chances of recovering. If you feel confident and don’t attend a follow-up session with your doctor, the result may be severely affected by this.

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Conclusion

Ovarian health can be in a much safer place if you take a CA – 125 blood test. This will ensure that there are not any parameters that can lead to some very dangerous conditions for the body to go through. It is not supposed to be a diagnostic test, as it may be quick, non-invasive and even very simple to follow, you are still required to go and talk with your current doctor to specify what each level means and if there are ways to evaluate the problem. By having proper intervention at the correct time, the condition that is within you or the symptoms that you show can be rectified through proper care and guidance by medical experts and doctors, as they can help make all the difference. Learn more about how Full Body Checkup in Hindi can help in early detection of life-threatening conditions including ovarian cancer.

 

Medical Disclaimer – The information that has been written is only to be used for educational purposes. There has been no information presented by this website, be it tests, images and graphics, which should be taken as professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor regarding any medical advice that may relate to your condition.