Ovarian Cancer: Why CA125 Screening Is Essential for Women in Your 40s

In your 40s, your health and longevity are top priorities amidst the demands of your life and responsibilities. While you schedule annual physicals, eat well, and exercise, there is an important screening that should not be overlooked.

CA125, a biomarker for ovarian cancer, provides an important indicator of gynecological health that all women, especially those over 40, should track regularly. Though ovarian cancer has been called the "silent killer" due to lack of early detection methods, CA125 provides a way to catch this disease in its earliest stages when treatment is most effective.

By understanding your CA125 levels, risks, and screening frequency, you are taking an important step in safeguarding your health and longevity.

TLDR: CA125 screening is important for women over 40 to detect ovarian cancer early

• Ovarian cancer is hard to detect early without screening
• Regular CA125 screening can help detect ovarian cancer at the earliest stages when treatment is most effective
• Understanding your CA125 levels and risks is important for safeguarding your health and longevity

What Is CA125?

CA125 is a protein found in the blood that is often elevated in women with ovarian cancer and other conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, liver disease, and pelvic inflammatory disease.

However, in women at high risk of ovarian cancer or presenting with symptoms like bloating, pelvic pain, or difficulty eating, an elevated CA125 may warrant further testing such as an ultrasound or CT scan.

The Importance of CA125 for Ovarian Cancer Detection

The ovaries are two small reproductive glands located on either side of the uterus where eggs develop and are stored. Ovarian cancer is a serious and common form of cancer in women.

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is key to successful treatment and survival. When detected early at a localized stage, the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is over 90%.

However, symptoms often do not appear until the cancer has spread, and over 60% of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage with lower survival rates.

CA125 screening, especially for high-risk women or those over age 55, can detect signs of ovarian cancer before symptoms arise when treatment is most effective.

Recommended Testing Frequency for CA125

Average Risk: Annually

For most women over 50 with no family history of ovarian cancer, annual blood tests are recommended.

High Risk: Every 6-12 months

Some indicators that more frequent screening could be warranted include:

• A family member diagnosed with ovarian cancer before age 50
• Two or more close relatives on the same side of the family with ovarian cancer
• A family member with a BRCA1/2 genetic mutation
• Personal history of breast, uterine, or colorectal cancer

Your physician may recommend starting screening at age 45 or younger and getting tested every 6-12 months.

Interpreting Your CA125 Test Results

Normal CA125 Levels

In most healthy women, the normal range for CA125 is less than 35 U/mL.

As women age, CA125 levels naturally rise slightly. For postmenopausal women, a level under 65 U/mL is still considered normal.

Elevated CA125 Levels

If your CA125 test result is higher than 35 U/mL, it does not necessarily mean you have ovarian cancer. Other possible causes for an elevated level include:

• Endometriosis or uterine fibroids: Benign conditions that cause inflammation in the pelvis.
• Pregnancy: CA125 levels rise during the first trimester and for up to 6 weeks after delivery.
• Menstruation: CA125 levels can rise slightly around menstruation.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease: Infection of the female reproductive organs.
• Cirrhosis or hepatitis: Liver disease can raise CA125.
• Peritoneal inflammation: Inflammation of the lining of the abdomen.

However, a level over 65 U/mL in a postmenopausal woman requires further evaluation by your physician to determine the cause, which may include repeat testing, pelvic ultrasound, or laparoscopy. An elevated CA125, especially a sharp rise over time, can indicate ovarian cancer and should be investigated promptly.

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In addition to testing, you will receive a personalized health optimization plan from our doctors incorporating supplements, nutrition, exercise and sleep strategies, and access to exclusive health and longevity events.

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Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage CA125

To help manage elevated CA125 levels, certain lifestyle changes and preventative steps can be taken.

Exercise Regularly

Engaging in regular exercise most days of the week can have significant benefits for health and longevity.

Aim for a combination of cardiovascular exercise, strength or resistance training, and flexibility or stretching. Even light activity like walking, yoga, or gardening a few times a week can help.

Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, improves circulation, and may help naturally balance hormone levels.

Reduce Stress

Chronic or long-term stress can negatively impact health in many ways.

Practicing stress management techniques like meditation, deep breathing, journaling or yoga can help lower stress levels. Spending time in nature, limiting screen time and social media use, and connecting with others can also help shift your mind and body into a more relaxed state.

High stress is associated with inflammation in the body and hormonal imbalances, so learning to better manage stress is important for health.

Limit Environmental Toxins

We are exposed to chemicals and toxins in our environment that may have a negative effect on health. Where possible, choose natural and organic products free from harsh chemicals, especially for foods and personal care items.

Properly ventilate and clean indoor areas. Quit or avoid smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. Making your home as toxin-free as reasonably possible can support better health and balanced hormones.

Diet and Exercise Recommendations for Healthy CA125

To maintain healthy CA125 levels and overall wellness, focus on diet and exercise. Both play an integral role in hormone regulation and stress management, which can impact CA125.

Diet

A balanced diet with plenty of whole foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein is ideal. Some recommendations:

• Reduce red meat and sugar intake, which can cause inflammation. Instead, choose fish, poultry, beans, and legumes as protein sources.
• Eat more high-fiber, antioxidant-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, broccoli, tomatoes, and berries. These help eliminate excess estrogen from the body.
• Choose healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Limit fried foods and trans fats.
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water to aid your body's detoxification processes. Herbal tea, especially dandelion or milk thistle tea, provides additional liver support.
• Consider taking a high-quality multivitamin or specific supplements such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids or turmeric to help reduce inflammation. Discuss any supplements with your doctor first.
• Limit alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether. Alcohol taxes the liver and disrupts hormone balance.

Making positive lifestyle changes through balanced nutrition and regular exercise, reducing stress, limiting alcohol and quitting smoking can help keep CA125 in the normal range and promote vibrant health. Be sure to get follow-up testing as recommended by your physician.

Supplements That May Help Lower CA125

Supplements may help support health and lower CA125 levels. However, you should always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen to ensure safety and effectiveness based on your specific health conditions and any medications you may be taking.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects and may help improve immunity.

Fish oil supplements provide eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two types of omega-3 fats.

Aim for 1,000 to 2,000 mg of fish oil per day with at least 600 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea is rich in compounds called catechins, including EGCG, that may help reduce cell damage and slow the growth of cancer cells.

Green tea extract supplements provide a concentrated form of these catechins. The typical dosage is 200 to 400 mg of green tea extract two to three times per day.

Curcumin

Curcumin is the main active compound in turmeric, a bright yellow spice. It has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Curcumin supplements may help reduce inflammation in the body and support healthy cell growth.

The typical dosage is 500 to 1,000 mg of curcumin two or three times a day. Look for supplements containing piperine or black pepper extract, which can help with absorption.

B Vitamins

B vitamins like folate, B6 and B12 are important for cell health and division.

Supplementing with a B-complex vitamin or multivitamin may help ensure you get adequate amounts of these B vitamins. The typical dosage is one B-complex capsule per day with meals.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps support immune function and healthy cell growth. Many people are deficient in vitamin D, especially those with limited sun exposure.

Vitamin D supplements may help raise your levels to the optimal range. The typical dosage is 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D per day, but higher doses of 2,000 to 5,000 IU per day may be needed to correct a deficiency.

You can also increase sun exposure and eat more vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, eggs, and fortified foods.

In summary, certain supplements may help support health, immunity and healthy cell growth, which can contribute to maintaining CA125 within the normal range or slowing increases over time. However, supplements are not a replacement for medical care and treatment. You should talk to your doctor before making any changes to your supplement or medication regimen.

Medications to Consider for Elevated CA125 Levels

If your CA125 levels come back elevated, your doctor may recommend certain medications to help lower and control them. Some medications commonly used for high CA125 include:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs work by destroying cancer cells in your body. For ovarian cancer, the most commonly used chemotherapy combination is carboplatin and paclitaxel.

These drugs are usually given intravenously in cycles every 3-4 weeks. Chemotherapy can cause side effects like nausea, fatigue, and hair loss, but newer anti-nausea drugs have made these side effects much more manageable.

PARP Inhibitors

PARP inhibitors are a newer class of drugs that target an enzyme called PARP which helps repair DNA damage in cells.

By blocking PARP, these drugs prevent cancer cells from repairing themselves, which can help slow or stop tumor growth.

PARP inhibitors like olaparib and niraparib are often used as maintenance therapy after chemotherapy to help prevent recurrence. They are usually given as pills that you take daily at home.

Hormone Therapy

For some types of ovarian cancer, especially those related to hormones like estrogen, hormone therapy may be used.

Drugs like tamoxifen work by blocking the effects of estrogen in the body which can help slow cancer cell growth.

Hormone therapy is usually only effective for certain types of ovarian cancer, so genetic testing of your tumor can help determine if it may benefit you.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy drugs work by boosting your body's own immune system to better detect and destroy cancer cells.

Drugs called checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab release the brakes on the immune system allowing your T-cells to eliminate cancer cells more effectively.

Immunotherapy is still being studied for ovarian cancer but shows promise for some patients.

Conclusion

As a working woman, your health and longevity should be a top priority. While life moves quickly and responsibilities abound, taking the time to understand your risks and get properly screened can add years to your life. Ovarian cancer is a silent killer, but the CA125 blood test provides an easy and inexpensive way to monitor your risk.

At Mito Health, we specialize in advanced health diagnostics to test your CA125 levels  - to form a science-based, personalized health plan to help you optimize your health. Sign up for our flagship package today to take control of your health and your future.