The cervical screening test (which replaced the Pap test in 2017 ) looks for human papillomavirus (HPV). At present, there is no effective screening test for ovarian cancer. Screening tests look for some types of cancer in people who do not have any symptoms. This is why doctors will often combine CA125 tests with an ultrasound.ĭuring treatment – For ovarian cancer that produces CA125, the blood test may be one way to check how well treatment is working. Falling CA125 levels may mean it is working, and rising CA125 levels may mean the treatment is not working well.Īfter treatment – CA125 blood tests are sometimes included in follow-up tests. If you have early-stage ovarian cancer, CA125 levels are often normal. It can be used in the following ways:Īt diagnosis – A CA125 test is more accurate in diagnosing ovarian cancer if you have been through menopause. The CA125 blood test is not used to screen for ovarian cancer if you do not have any symptoms. It can also rise for reasons other than cancer, including ovulation, menstruation, irritable bowel syndrome, liver or kidney disease, endometriosis or fibroids. The level of CA125 may be higher in some cases of ovarian cancer. The most common tumour marker for ovarian cancer is CA125. These proteins are called tumour markers. You may have blood tests to check for proteins produced by cancer cells.

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