Ovarian Cancer Screening

Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Screening
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Ovarian Cancer Stages
Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Cancer Types
Breast Cancer
Colon Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Prostate Cancer

The goal of the ovarian cancer screening is to discover cancer before symptoms arise. Discovering ovarian cancer at early stages greatly increases the survival rate of the patient. Common ovarian cancer screening methods are as follows:

Pelvic exam: Your doctor will feel the ovaries and nearby organs for unusual lumps.
Blood test: A blood test can detect the level of CA-125, a substance that is often found in ovarian cancer cells. Keep in mind that CA-125 is also produced by normal healthy cells, and its level may raise during certain conditions, such as pregnancy. Normal level of CA-125 is 35 U/ml. Elevated CA-125 level alone does not conclusively denote the presence of ovarian cancer. Additional tests are needed. After ovarian cancer is confirmed, CA-125 level is also used to measure the effectiveness of cancer therapies: A decrease in CA-125 level means the treatment is effective.
Imaging tests: Imaging techniques such as ultrasound, MRI, and CT scan may be used to detect the location of the cancer.
Biopsy: The only conclusive way of confirming the presence of cancer is by taking sample tissues from the ovaries and examine them. The doctor can also find out what stage the cancer is in. Biopsy requires surgery.