I am having an exploratory full hysterectomy monday

[rbrnmw]

For possible ovarian cancer my symptoms were so vague it could been several things causing them, gallbladder, kidney stones, to damage done by a ladder fall last Autumn. they did a CT-scan that showed a 9 cm mass on my left ovary and 6 cm mass on the right, there is also something on my uterus, the reason they suspect ovarian cancer was a high CA-125 I had no clue there was such a test now my question is why aren't they routine like pap smears and mammograms are>?

[badtoworse]

1. I'll keep you in my prayers

[RILib]

2. I hope things go well

Let us know, thinking about you.

I looked up Ca-125. Apparently it is not that reliable as a test - lots of false positives and false negatives. So not that good at distinguishing between benign and cancerous growths.

[libodem]

3. I don't know

Maybe it because it is a woman's problem. They do routine PSA tests on men. Lots of medical research is done by men for men.

I hope everything goes as well as can be expected. It sounds very serious.

[pnwmom]

4. I think they don't do the test because it has so many false results. It's just not that reliable.

I'll keep you in my thoughts -- I hope this is one of the false positives.

[bigwillq]

5. All the best to you.

I hope everything goes well.

[NYC_SKP]

6. Sending good vibes...

Wish there was more.

[DreamGypsy]

7. Can ovarian cancer be found early?

From the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/overviewguide/ovarian-cancer-overview-found-early

Screening

Screening tests and exams are used to find a disease such as cancer in people who don’t have any symptoms. Women with a very high risk of ovarian cancer (such as those with a strong family history of the disease) may be screened with ultrasound and with a certain blood test. But studies of women at average risk of ovarian cancer show that these tests did not lower the number of deaths caused by ovarian cancer. For this reason, these tests are not used to look for ovarian cancer in women who aren’t high risk.

Ways to help find ovarian cancer early

Regular women’s health exams

During a pelvic exam the doctor will feel the woman’s organs to check their size and shape. But most ovarian tumors are hard to find early because the ovaries are deep within the body and it isn’t easy for the doctor to feel them. The Pap test helps to find cervical cancer early, but it is not really useful for finding ovarian cancer early.
See a doctor if you have symptoms

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include swelling or bloating, pain in the belly, trouble eating, and bladder symptoms (feeling as if you have to go often or always feeling as if you have to go).

These symptoms are most often caused by something besides ovarian cancer. Sometimes when ovarian cancer is the cause, the symptoms are more severe, but that isn’t always true. What is most important is that they are a change from how a woman usually feels.

Still, early cancers of the ovaries often cause no symptoms.

I expect that the "certain blood test" referred to in the screening paragraph is the CA-125 test.

Lots of information about the test here, Questions and Answers About the CA-125 Test, from Johns Hopkins Pathology, including this:

CA-125, cancer antigen-125, is a protein that is found at levels in most ovarian cancer cells that are elevated compared to normal cells. CA-125 is produced on the surface of cells and is released in the blood stream.

<snip>

The CA-125 test only returns a true positive result for about 50% of Stage I ovarian cancer patients. The CA-125 test is not an adequate early detection tool when used alone.

The CA-125 test has an 80% chance of returning true positive results from stage II, III, and IV ovarian cancer patients. The other 20% of ovarian cancer patients do not show any increase in CA-125 concentrations.

Best wishes. Good fortune. Safe home.

[pinboy3niner]

8. That has to be very scary for you

I've spent, over the years, a total of more than 2 years in the hospital, many operations, and now I don't even like going in to have blood drawn.

I hope it goes well for you, and that you'll feel good about it when it's over.

[rbrnmw]

9. I am scared but hopeful and ready to fight it if it is

I am 43 years old and have 5 kids and no grandchildren yet. 3 are under 18

[Baitball Blogger]

10. Wishing you the best.

[RILib]

12. More on unreliability of that test -

More on unreliability of that test:

"A number of benign conditions can cause elevations of the CA 125 level, including pregnancy, endometriosis, uterine fibroids (benign tumors), pancreatitis, normal menstruation, pelvic inflammatory disease, and liver disease. Benign tumors or cysts of the ovaries can also cause an abnormal test result."

[rbrnmw]

13. Thank You I am hoping for benign eom

[FSogol]

11. Best wishes. n/t

[LiberalEsto]

14. Good vibes and healing blessings to you! nt

[etherealtruth]

15. Hoping all is well!

[ismnotwasm]

16. Hopes and wishes your way

I hope all is benign and you never have to go through anything like this again

[Auntie Bush]

17. A cousin of mine had a HUGE growth on her overy removed...it was benign!

I hope yours is too! Sending healing vibes you way for a speedy recovery.

[life long demo]

18. Sending prayers to you for a good outcome

I had something similar January 2012, pap test showed endometrial cancer. I was very lucky, it was caught early. Still being checked every 6 months. Prayers and more prayers going your way. Let us know how everything is going. You are not alone.

[applegrove]

19. Vibes to you!