Ovarian CA diagnosis

[wiscmom]

My maternal gm had ovarian CA.  What dx testing should I be asking for?

[wiscmom]

thanks - it was for my risk that I was asking - info very helpful - thanks

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

It would be best to discuss your risk with a doctor. I am assuming that you are asking about testing for early detection of ovarian cancer for yourself and not confirmatory testing for grandma.

The first question is whether or not your are indeed at significant risk.

Is she the only family member with cancer? Did she also have breast cancer or were both ovaries involved?

If there is involvement of both ovaries or a breast cancer history – there are genetic testing available. If your ancestors are Jewish (Ashkenazi Jews), then there is a higher risk. The tests are usually done for Breast Cancer susceptibility genes (labeled as BrCA 1 and 2) – these genetic diseases also confer a risk for ovarian cancer.

IF ovarian cancer is the only issue, other things to investigate is your age, menstrual history, number of pregnancies, and estimate the risk. You could check out http://www.yourdiseaserisk.siteman.wustl.edu/hccpquiz.pl?lang=english&func=start&quiz=ovarian

At the present time, there is no clear method of screening for ovarian cancer. There are large studies ongoing that will try to establish this. The modalities being considered would include a pelvic examination, a blood test called CA 125, and ultrasound. The optimal sequence, frequency, or combination of tests is not yet established. It would be important for you to discuss this at length with your doctor to come up with an acceptable plan. Screening may be unduly anxiety-generating, and there is no clear benefit for such methods for ovarian cancer unlike the screening methods for cervical cancer and breast cancer (screening practice has largely improved outcomes for such cases – for ovary, we can’t really say the same thing).