Fw: CA-125 BLOOD TEST
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From: "Michael Durham" <mdurh...@msn.com>
To: "Byron Smith" <smith...@bellsouth.net>, "everyonesmom4" <everyo...@comcast.net>, "Leeanne Case" <galo...@sbcglobal.net>, "Lmheilman" <lmhe...@comcast.net>, "Lynda Camara" <lynd...@yahoo.com>, "mary hennington" <mrs...@hotmail.com>, "Stephanie fike" <jsa3...@gmail.com>, "Sylvia Hickman" <Dodob...@yahoo.com>, "Tabatha Speed" <cajun...@yahoo.com>
Subject: Fw: CA-125 BLOOD TEST
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:39:05 +0000
----- Original Message -----From: Peggy RobinsonTo: Heather Woodson ; jane white ; Rita Sullivan ; David Spencer ; donna smith ; danna roberts ; Heather Rhinewalt ; Linda Gigaante ; mike durham ; vicki craft ; charlotte byrd ; Treshia Bogue ; Suzanne Barnett ; ruth ; Lynn ; georgiaSent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 6:14 AMSubject: CA-125 BLOOD TEST
From: "Marjean Eckerson" <meck...@comcast.net>
To: "Shelia Waldrup" <SWALD...@yahoo.com>, "Robyn Slunecka" <rslu...@cox.net>, "Peggy Robinson" <feelins...@bellsouth.net>, "Kathy Mowdy" <mkva...@yahoo.com>, "Kathy Whitehead" <Pars...@hotmail.com>, <G enie...@bellsouth.net>, "Cathy Schepers" <cathy.s...@hotmail.com>, "Beverly Phillips" <bbphil...@yahoo.com>, "Frances Addy" <f.a...@comcast.net>
Subject: Fw: CA-125 BLOOD TEST
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:01:44 +0000
> SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER>
> (Even In The Absence Of Ovaries)>
> An Eye-Opener On Ovarian Cancer>
>
> THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END
>
> Years ago, Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were
> inconclusive, and she was treated for everything under the sun until itwas
> too late. This blood test finally identified her illness but alas, toolate.
> She wrote a book to heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower.
>
>
>
> Kathy's Story: this is the story of Kathy West
>
> As all of you know, I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer
> has only recently been identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is
> essentially Ovarian Cancer.
>
>
>
> Both types of cancer are diagnosed in the same way, with the 'tumor
> marker' CA-125 BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way - surgeryto
> remove the primary tumor and then chemotherapy with Taxol and Carboplatin.
>
>
>
> Having gone through this ordeal, I want to save others from the same
> fate That is why I am sending this message to you and hope you will printit
> and give it or send it via E-mail to everybody you know.
>
>
>
> One thing I have learned is that each of us must take TOTAL
> responsibility for our own health care. I thought I had done that becauseI
> always had an annual physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self-BreastExam,
> went to the dentist at least twice a year, etc. I even insisted on a
> sigmoidoscopy and a bone density test last year. When I had a total
> hysterectomy in 1993, I thought that I did not have to worry about getting
> any of the female reproductive organ cancers.
>
>
>
> LITTLE DID I KNOW. I don't have ovaries (and they were HEALTHY when
> they were removed), but I have what is essentially ovarian cancer.Strange,
> isn't it?
>
> These are just SOME of the things our Doctors never tell us: ONE out
> of every 55 women will get OVARIAN or PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER.
>
>
>
> The 'CLASSIC' symptoms are an ABDOMEN that rather SUDDENLY ENLARGES
> and CONSTIPATION and/or DIARRHEA
>
>
>
> I had these classic symptoms and went to the doctor. Because these
> symptoms seemed to be 'abdominal', I went to a gastroenterologist. He ran
> tests that were designed to determine whether there was a bacteria
> infection; these tests were negative, and I was diagnosed with 'Irritable
> Bowel Syndrome'. I guess I would have accepted this diagnosis had it not
> been for my enlarged abdomen. I swear to you, it looked like I was 4-5
> months pregnant! I therefore insisted on more tests
>
>
>
> They took an X-ray of my abdomen; it was negative. I was again
> assured that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was encouraged to go on my
> scheduled month-long trip to Europe . Icouldn't wear any of my slacks or
> shorts because I couldn't get them buttoned, and I KNEW something was
> radically wrong. I INSISTED on more tests, and they reluctantly) scheduled
> me for a CT-Scan (just to shut me up, I think). This is what I mean by
> 'taking charge of our own health care.'
>
>
>
> The CT-Scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal).
> Needless to say, I had to cancel my trip and have FIVE POUNDS of fluiddrawn
> off at the hospital (not a pleasant experience I assure you), but NOTHING
> compared to what was ahead of me.
>
>
>
> Tests revealed cancer cells in the fluid. Finally, finally, finally,
> the doctor ran a CA-125 blood test, and I was properly diagnosed.
>
> I HAD THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS FOR OVARIAN CANCER, AND YET THIS SIMPLE
> CA-125 BLOOD TEST HAD NEVER BEEN RUN ON ME, not as part of my annual
> physical exam and not when I was symptomatic. This is an inexpensive and
> simple blood test!
>
>
>
> PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INSIST
> ON A CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS.
>
>
>
> Be fore warned that their doctors might try to talk them out of it,
> saying, 'IT ISN'T NECESSARY.' Believe me, had I known then what I knownow,
> we would have caught my cancer much earlier (before it was a stage 3
> cancer). Insist on the CA-125 BLOOD TEST; DO NOT take 'NO' for an answer!
>
>
>
& gt; The normal range for a CA-125 BLOOD TEST is between zero and 35.
> MINE WAS 754. (That's right, 754!). If the number is slightly above 35,you
> can have another done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it,
> just as women do when they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly
> elevated PSA test (Prostatic Specific Antigens) that helps diagnoseprostate
> cancer.
>
>
>
> Having the CA-125 test done annually can alert you early, and that's
> the goal in diagnosing any type of cancer - catching it early.
>
>
>
> Do you know 55 women? If so, at least one of them will have this
> VERY AGGRESSIVE cancer. Please, go to your doctor and insist on a CA-125
> test and have one EVERY YEAR for the rest of your life.
>
>
>
> And forward this message to every woman you know, and tell all of
> your female family members and friends. Though the median age for this
> cancer is 56, (and, guess what, I'm exactly 56, women as young as 22 have
> it. Age is no factor.
>
>
>
> A NOTE FROM THE RN:
>
> Well , after reading this, I made some calls. I found that the
> CA-125 test is an ovarian screening test equivalent to a man's PSA test
> prostate screen (which my husband's doctor automatically gives him in his
> physical each year and insurance pays for it). I called the general
> practitioner's office about having the test done. The nurse had neverheard
> of it. She told me that she doubted that insurance would pay for it. So I
> called Prudential Insurance Co, and got the same response. Never heard of
> it - it won't be covered. I explained that it was the same as the PSA test
> they had paid for my husband for years. After conferring with whomeverthey
> confer with, s! he told me that the CA-125 would be covered.
> < BR>>
>
> It is $75 in a GP's office and $125 at the GYN's. This is a
> screening test that should be required just like a PAP smear (a PAP smear
> cannot detect problems with your ovaries). And you must insist that your
> insurance company pay for it.
>
>
>
> Gene Wilder and Pierce Brosnan (his wife had it, too) are lobbying
> for women's health issues, saying that this test should be required in our
> physicals, just like the PAP and the mammogram. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TOSEND
> THIS OUT TO ALL THOSE YOU CAN. BE IT MALE OR FEMALE, IT SHOULD NOT MATTER,
> AS THEY CAN FORWARD IT ALSO TO THOSE LOVED ONES THEY KNOW.
>
>
>
> IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FORWARDING SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS
> THIS, HERE'S A LITTLE HINT THAT MAY ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR DECISION ~ JUST
> PRETEND THAT THIS IS A JOKE, WHICH IT CERTAINLY IS NOT, AND SEND IT OUT TO
> ALL THE FOLKS YOU W OULD IF IT WAS. THANKS
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