An article was published yesterday on Voice Of America News regarding new developments in early detection for lung cancer.
This is also an important topic for me, and one that is close to my heart. I lost my Grandpa in November of 2010 to lung cancer.
He went to the doctor in February and his only symptom was shortness of breath. They did a CT scan and it didn't show anything abnormal - he was told he had COPD and he was sent home . In May they did another CT scan because he wasn't feeling any better and that's when they found the cancer.
My Grandpa was healthy for most of his life and was diagnosed in June 2010 with Stage IV Lung Cancer and died within 5 months.
Scientists are developing a blood test to detect lung cancer. According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, claiming an estimated 1.5 million lives each year. This blood test is similar to the CA 125 test for Ovarian Cancer in that it detects protein signatures. They are hoping that they can develop the tests so doctors can use it on patients at risk for lung cancer within two years.
This is great news for early detection.
Blood Test for Early Lung Cancer Detection
Ovarian cancer is known as the silent killer because it is not usually caught at an early stage, as was true with my mother. It is something that you must be vigilant about if you have any of the signs or symptoms of Ovarian cancer. You must also be vigilant if you have a family history of either breast cancer or ovarian cancer, as there is an increased risk of you having the disease.
Earlier I talked about the warning signs of Ovarian cancer:
Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
Pelvic discomfort or pain
Lack of energy
Abdominal pressure, fullness or bloating
Constipation and/or increased frequency of urination
Low back pain
Now I want to talk about the tests that are used to find if you are at risk for Ovarian cancer:
CA 125 is a blood test measures the amount of the protein CA 125 (cancer antigen 125) in your blood. It isn't always a reliable form of testing as it may be missed in early Ovarian Cancer detection, but for someone at high risk due to family history it may still be a good idea to have it checked.
Not all insurance companies cover the cost of this test. Talk to your doctor and insurance company about what is covered. It can be added to any routine blood test.
Please read this link for detailed information about this test.
CA 125 Test
BRACAnalysis is a genetic test that can let you know your risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) by identifying a BRCA gene mutation. Most insurance companies will pay for a portion of the test if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancers. My insurance company covered it completely.
My mother's oncologist did tell me that if you get a negative result on your BRACAnalysis, it may be a false negative and the test would have to be done again. Insurance companies may not cover the second test.
Please read this link for more information.
BRACAnalysis
Methods that doctors use to diagnose Ovarian cancer are:
Pelvic exam
Transvaginal ultrasound
Surgery to remove samples of tissue for testing
More information can be found on the MayoClinic website.
Ovarian Cancer Tests and Diagnosis
Overall, it is extremely important to speak up and talk to your doctor about what you are feeling. If you have any of these symptoms, call and make an appointment.
When my mom started seeing doctors in 2008, they gave her antacids because her stomach always felt "full". They weren't aware or didn't notice the symptom of Ovarian cancer. Finally, she saw the episode of the View that talked about Ovarian Cancer and the CA 125 test. She called her doctor and asked for the CA 125 test and when the results came back extremely high, that is when they scheduled the transvaginal ultrasound and found all the tumors.
One of the reasons I started this blog is so that we can raise awareness and money to help fund early detection of Ovarian Cancer. It's only the first step in this very important journey.
