Signs of Ovarian Cancer - Important Information
Saturday, July 29th, 2006This e-mail was forwarded to me:
> I considered not forwarding this info. I had it in my inbox for months.
> The reference to Gilda Radner is what swayed me. I remember her early
> death only too well. She wasn’t much older than me at the time and way too
> young to be dying.
>
> I have to see my DR. next week and I’m going to ask.
> One life saved would make all the difference. Why die of ignorance.
>
> SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER (even in the absence of Ovaries) THIS IS A
> MUST TO READ TO THE END. . . .
>
Basically, it was a new form of a discredited e-mail that has been circulating for years. Its main thrust is that you must have regular CA-125 blood tests. However, quite a few Web sites cast doubt on this e-mail’s story/testimonial. Take a look at Trend Micro’s summary at Hoaxes.
And also see the Urban Legends synopsis: http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/ca125.asp.
More importantly, John Hopkins University, in its Questions and Answers About the CA-125 Test, says,
The CA-125 test is not recommended for use alone as an early detection method. The rate of false positives is very high, and there has been no data concerning change in mortality.The CA-125 test should not be used alone to detect ovarian cancer, but rather with transvaginal sonography and rectovaginal pelvic examination for greater accuracy.
Combining detection methods lowers the number of false positive results.
The CA-125 test should be done serially for best accuracy.
