A lot of people have heard the rumors of how bad the CA 125 Blood Test is at detecting ovarian cancer, but right now it's all the world really has to work with. It may not always be accurate (in fact most of the time it isn't), but it is still the best way right now to check for ovarian cancer. Women who have had a history of ovarian cancer in their families should definitely consider getting a CA 125 Blood Test after talking with a doctor. But how does this controversial little test work and what all is involved in the process?
The test is performed just like any other blood test, and no preparation is necessary before hand. The process is pretty simple and straightforward. A nurse will pick out the spot to draw the blood from, normally in the elbow or in the back of the hand. She will apply antiseptic to the area and wrap it in elastic so that the vein pops out easier. The area with in the elastic bands will fill with blood that the nurse will be able to draw.
Once the nurse prepares the patient's arm, he get the needle ready to draw the blood. Then, she simply inserts the needle into the vein and draws out the necessary amount of blood. A lot of people have problems with their veins "rolling away" or hiding whenever a needle is stuck in them, so sometimes it's a little hard to get the test done quickly. Most people don't have to worry about that though. Once all of the blood has been drawn, the puncture area is clean and covered to stop the bleeding.
Most people don't feel any pain at all during the test, and those who do just feel a slight stinging in the puncture area. The procedure is short, and most people don't even realize when it's all over. After that, the nurse will brief the patient on when to expect the results and what to do in the meantime. The patient will then do the obvious--pay the doctor bill (or at least get the doctor bill), and leave the office. Then it's just a waiting game.
The wait isn't the only hard part though. A lot of times the test results themselves can cause unnecessary stress and worry. When the results are in, the process isn't over. CA 125 tests are known for showing false positives and false negatives, so multiple screenings will need to be performed to really figure out if the patient has ovarian cancer. Even though the CA 125 test is the best way to detect ovarian cancer, the process still isn't exact. Doctors are working to get closer to finding an accurate test, but for now, the CA 125 is what they have to work with. Until then, most women are advised not to get the test done unless instructed to by a doctor. There's no sense in worrying about something that may have very incorrect results.
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