Ovarian Cancer News: Tracking the CA-125

Ovarian Cancer News

A new study was recently published detailing the effectiveness in testing and tracking over time the protein CA-125 to detect ovarian cancer. The CA-125 protein is most often used as a biomarker for ovarian cancer tumors after the disease has been confirmed. Currently, this expensive test reveals too many false positives of ovarian cancer because it is most often used on a one time only basis to look for disease. Insurance companies are often hesitant to cover tests or exams in which the effectiveness is low and the cost is high. This new study uniquely tests CA-125 as part of a woman’s routine yearly exam to detect changes to the level over time. The study shows this strategy is almost 99.9 percent effective in detecting ovarian cancer in women.

At this time, this recent study is not enough to make any changes to how we currently practice, however a study out of the UK may prove even more definitive in the effectiveness of this test as part of a woman’s yearly OB/GYN appointments.

Please see the link below for additional information:

 http://m.nbcnews.com/health/new-ovarian-cancer-test-may-detect-early-disease-8C10995701