CA 125 blood test

Hi Mum2zak

Welcome to the Womb group.

I am sorry to hear that you have been bleeding so much, it must be making you feel rubbish. Your friend was right in thinking you need checking out. 

I understand that your PTSD makes it hard to leave home but am glad you did speak to your Doctor. 

CA125 is a blood marker. It is routinely tested for when there may be a gynaecological problem. A raised level can be for different reasons and cancer is one of them. It is used more for Ovarian cancer but mine was regularly checked during my endometrial cancer treatment. The oncologist said they like to keep an eye on it and big changes need further investigation. Anything under 35 is considered normal.

 CA125 does not either diagnose or rule out cancer. The only thing that can confirm cancer is a biopsy where a small amount of cells are looked at under the microscope. 

It was a bleed that first alerted me to something being wrong.

I was seen at hospital and had bloods taken, urine test, and normal obs like blood pressure etc.

Following that I was sent for ultrasounds. One was tummy and one was an internal ultra sound. 

The internal ultrasound picked up that something was wrong so the next step for me was a biopsy. This was done in outpatients in a nurse led clinic. I was also booked in for a CT scan a few days later. 

I am not sure what the vaginal swab is for unless they are meaning cervical screening or want to rule out an infection. I wonder if the best thing to do at this stage is to talk to your doctor (or if it feels easier your practice nurse) and find out if the blood tests taken can show whether you are experiencing the bleeding due to menopause. If it is due to the menopause then there may well be some treatment to settle the bleeding. I had similar bleeding at your age and was given the mini pill for example. 

What I would normally expect to happen is for you to be offered the ultrasound. This would be able to look at your womb and around the area for anything concerning. I realise that this would be difficult for you but I am not sure if there are any alternatives. Best bet is to talk to your doctor. 

Jane

Hi Jane, thankyou so much for replying I really appreciate it. I was worried you were going to say the only way to know is scan and biopsy, I haven't left the house for over 4 years so really not sure how this can happen, when Dr said about having a swab I did goggle (yes I know I know) which said it's a new test that can detect cancer in your DNA with a swab instead of having to go through painful biopsies but I guess I will have to speak to the doctor more about that one. It's just so hard to get to speak to her let alone a home visit but the practice nurse maybe a good choice. How are you doing now? 

The idea of having a DNA type swab sounds a promising way forward. I think having a chat with the practice nurse might help and they can feed back to your GP about your concerns.  I am not sure what they would do next if the swab showed any sign of cancer- but I would imagine an ultrasound. 

If you do need to go on to have a biopsy, they can be painful but you can request a general anaesthetic normally. 

I'm doing ok thank you.

Jane

I was hoping that having the swab would rule out cancer so then wouldn't have to go through the terrifying prospects of leaving the house as Dr said this can be done as a self swab at home but I am not even sure that's what it is as only been around for last 2 years and didn't ask that many questions as you only think afterwards, then whatever the result I would take it from there, which I thought the blood test was denfinet yes or no. It's so worrying and everything I'm experiencing can be put down to Cancer or menopause I have had to stop looking on the Internet but so gald I found this forum, I did try the helpline but lots for people where waiting in front of me. I will definitely try and speak to someone tomorrow at gp surgery thanks. 

I have just read your story, wow you've been through so much! But happy to read your doing so well now. And I am a cat mum to a ragdoll cat called cosmo who is so beautiful xx

Doing the swab at home sounds a good first step. 

If there is anything to suggest cancer then I think it would need to be a scan next as they would normally need to be done to plan treatment. 

Hopefully cancer could be ruled out with the swab but I don't want to say it definitely will as its not something I have come across.  But the bleeding needs to be looked into anyway as something is causing it. 

Cosmo sound gorgeous.

Jane

Yes I know your right and it's making me feel rubbish bleeding so much, the blood test did come back I was anemic so will get some tablets for thatthe not knowing and worrying about it is awful to but you've really helped tonight and I feel like I have made a plan in my head for what's next so thankyou!

Cosmo is amazing but can get into some right mischief too

I am not surprised you are anaemic. You could ask for something to help stop the bleeding. I get it - the worrying is sometimes the worst part. I just try to break things down and focus on one step at a time. First step is the swab at home. Second step talk to your practice nurse/GP. Then stop and breathe. The swab will show if there is a next step. 

if you need anything else- you know where we are

Jane

Thankyou so much, your a star!!! Will let you know x