Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125) Test

The CA 125 Test is conducted to measure the amount of Cancer Antigen 125 (or CA 125) present in the blood. The Cancer Antigen 125 is a kind of protein or an antigen that is considered to be a tumour marker in women.

By testing the levels of CA 125 and interpreting the CA 125 Test results, healthcare practitioners can often determine if the patient is at high risk of developing cancer or if they already have a type of cancer.

Despite the many uses of the CA 125 Test, many healthcare authorities do not consider the test to be a good measure of screening for cancer in women who are at average risk of getting cancer. Instead, the CA 125 Test is considered to be a good test for cancer diagnosis in women who are at a high risk of developing any kind of cancer like ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, etc.

In India, breast cancer and ovarian cancer continue to be major causes of female deaths till date. Many Indian women don’t get diagnosed at an early stage, which then results in a fatal outcome. Breast cancer and ovarian cancer awareness drives have been doing their best all over the country to encourage people not to ignore their condition and get tested if they suspect any abnormalities.

So, for women who are already at a high risk of developing cancer (maybe due to a family history of cancer cases), getting the CA 125 Test is a wise preventive measure.

The CA 125 Test requires the woman to give her blood sample to the lab technician. The CA 125 Test blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm and can give a slight stinging feeling when the needle is inserted.

Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Fallopian tube cancer, Breast cancer

The CA 125 Test measures the levels of Cancer Antigen 125 in the woman’s body. The CA 125 Test is used by healthcare practitioners in the following conditions:

• To diagnose any kind of cancer in women belonging to the high-risk group

For women who fall in the high-risk category, the CA 125 Test may be suggested quite frequently by their healthcare provider. This frequent testing will be done to ensure that there is no growth of tumour in the woman’s body and they remain healthy.

• To monitor the progress of cancer therapy

For women who have already been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or cancer of the fallopian tubes, etc the doctors prescribe the CA 125 Test to monitor if the cancer therapy is effective in reducing the tumour growth. A decreased level of CA 125 can often be an indicator of the cancer therapy working well.

• To check for cancer recurrence

Women who have been through cancer therapy before and were able to get rid of the tumour are asked to take the CA 125 Test periodically. This is because their healthcare practitioners monitor them for spotting any cancer regrowth.

This test is also prescribed to people who have a family history that makes them more vulnerable to cancer. If the woman has a family history that suggests that women (or men) in their family have or had any kind of cancer before, especially cancer found in women like ovarian cancer, cancer of the breast, cancer of the fallopian tubes, etc. then, that female is at a high risk of developing cancer.

Apart from the conditions mentioned above, if women show the following symptoms then they may be asked to go for the CA 125 Test:

• Experiencing persistent bloating
• Suffering from pelvic or abdomen pain
• Feeling full quickly or losing appetite

The CA 125 Test may be a frequent test for women at high risk of developing cancer (maybe due to family history or other preexisting health conditions). For women with an average risk of developing cancer, the CA 125 Test may be suggested only once, especially if the woman shows any symptoms.

What to Expect During the Test

Before the Test

Usually, there's no need to make any special preparations for the CA 125 test. However, if your doctor has recommended this test along with another one that requires fasting, they might advise you to avoid certain foods. Talk to your doctor before any test for the best outcomes.

During the Test

A vein in your arm will be pricked to collect a blood sample. Here's what you can anticipate during the procedure:

• The site where the needle is inserted will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
• A tourniquet will be applied to your arm to make finding the veins easier.
• A needle will be inserted into the vein to draw blood. You might experience a quick pinch for a few seconds.
• The blood will be collected in a vial/tube, which will be labelled with your details.

After the Test

After the blood has been drawn:

• A bandage will be applied to the area where the needle was inserted to prevent any bleeding.
• It's normal to have some bruising. Some people might feel dizzy and should rest for a few minutes.
• In case of bleeding, pain, or rashes at the site of the puncture, it's important to reach out to your healthcare provider.

The CA 125 Test is used to determine the levels of a CA 125 protein in the Blood. The Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125) protein is considered a tumour marker, which means that it helps detect cancers of several kinds. Some of them are Fallopian Tubes cancer, ovarian cancer, etc.

When your sample is collected, it is tested for the level of this protein. Doctors then make use of your test results to check for any signs that could point out the development of a tumour.

You can refer to the following table given below to interpret your CA 125 Test results:

Detailed interpretation of the CA 125 Test results:

• For normal levels of CA 125 in the blood sample

This result indicates the absence of any cancer or tumour growth in the body.

• For CA 125 levels above normal range

This result indicates abnormal and concerning levels of CA 125 in the blood of the woman. These test results, however, are not a confirmation of having any type of cancer. This test result will prompt your doctor to ask you to undergo a few more diagnostic tests to confirm the root cause of the elevated levels of the CA 125 Test.

Many times, the CA 125 Test results are also false high and can show elevated levels of the Cancer Antigen 125 even when the woman is not suffering from any type of cancer. This false spike in the CA 125 Test results can be caused by the following conditions instead:

• If the woman is menstruating.
• If the woman is already suffering from any kind of Liver disease.
• If the woman is pregnant.
• Due to Uterine Fibroids, a non-cancerous growth inside the woman’s uterus.
• Fallopian tube disorders like pelvic inflammatory disease.

Thus, elevated levels of CA 125 Test results should not always be associated with a kind of cancer, especially in women who fall in the average risk category of developing cancer.

The pricing for a CA 125 test can vary based on the city and the laboratory. Typically, the cost of a CA 125 test ranges from INR 799 to INR 1479. Here is a detailed breakdown of the average charges for a CA 125 test in various major cities across India: