3 month Review

[BanksiaRose]

Hi. My first 3 month review is coming up. I am feeling well and have no symptoms (but then I didn’t have any first time round!). What can I expect at appointment regarding tests, anybody know? Thanks

[Katmal-UK]

Hi They will ask how you have been, how you are feeling, any issues ? They will probably have a feel of your tummy, weigh you and do a blood test. All pretty straight forward really xx Good luck xx

[BanksiaRose in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thanks for that Katmal-UK

[Lindaura]

If you are in the UK, you will probably get a blood test before your appointment which will usually include your CA-125, Ovarian Cancer marker test.

As you know, you can have no symptoms at all, feel fit as a fiddle, and the bugger can still sneak up on you.

For many of us, this is a good indicator for how we are doing, but for some, it doesn’t do the trick and we have to rely on symptoms.

Hopefully, this will be a good indicator for you.

If you are having no symptoms and your bloods are all normal, you can breathe a sigh of relief and resume your new-normal life for another three months.

Hope you stay well.

Best wishes,

Laura

[BanksiaRose in reply to Lindaura]

Hi. I see you are in Bath. I trained as a nurse there in the 60’s. I hope they continue to treat you well. I am in Gloucestershire. Best wishes

[Welshandproud in reply to BanksiaRose]

Hi there. Where are you based? I'm in Cheltenham.

[BanksiaRose in reply to Welshandproud]

Hi. I’m west of the county, treatments at Cheltenham General oncology unit.

[Welshandproud in reply to BanksiaRose]

A really good team. You are in very safe hands xx

[Hidden]

Nerve racking I know! my first 3 month review is on Monday, so I am in the same situation. Unfortunately my blood test is done on the same day, then more waiting for the results, my understanding is if the CA is risen significantly, I will then have a CT scan. Good luck!

[BanksiaRose in reply to Hidden]

Mmmm, what a pity blood test isn’t done so results are known at appointment! All the best.

[CallmeMum in reply to BanksiaRose]

Can you get to your local hospital easily? If so go up the day before and get it done that’s what my special person does xx

[Hidden in reply to BanksiaRose]

Yes that would be so much better. I often think that the whole appointment process is not very well organised.

[Seasun36-uk]

Hello BanksiaRose,

Welcome to the forum- I think it is your first post?

I am at Cheltenham too! Diagnosed March 2017, HGS, Stage 4, after relatively few/vague symptoms. Then chemo x3, debulking Operation, chemo x3, followed by Avastin x18 in total. Currently NED (I hope & pray!).

I can tell you what happened at my last 3 monthly check up, as I am still processing it..

I was seen by a Clinical Nurse Specialist. She palpate my abdomen & I had an internal (not uncomfortable). I took in a list of questions & gave her the list & most questions were answered. However....no bloods as the Doctors don’t do them at Cheltenham. They rely on symptoms but....!!

I still don’t understand/agree. Many ladies on here you will see have 3 monthly CA125 tests. I don’t know whether to push for it with my GP??

One thing you may not know about is that there is a Gynae support group at Maggies (just near Oncology) on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. I haven’t been yet but hope to go in March.

Let us know how you get on.

Linda 🌻🌼

[bluepeterella in reply to Seasun36-uk]

It just doesn't make sense not to test CA125, it is a symptom after all! The only other symptom I've had is ascites but I wouldn't want to wait until that became obvious again. I am given a form at the end of each review, then go and get my bloods done the week before the following appointment.

[BanksiaRose]

Hi. Small world eh!? Yes, I’ve been across to Maggie’s, just for a look. Lovely people. I’m undecided about the need for regular ca125 blood tests as they are not always reliable. A low result could be false reassurance....a rising result might not mean anything and cause unnecessary anxiety. Life used to be so simple! Best wishes

[Seasun36-uk in reply to BanksiaRose]

Agreed! 😶

[doodoolatrice]

I always have my CA125 done the week before so the results are in ready for my appointment. My Oncologist asks me how I'm feeling, I'm weighed and that's pretty much it. I often wonder why she doesn't feel my tummy or do an internal examination as my Consultant always did at my follow up appointments by she's never done this. Good luck xx

[BanksiaRose in reply to doodoolatrice]

This is taken from uk cancer research site: CA125 blood test

Doctors used to use routine CA125 blood tests to monitor the growth of ovarian cancer after treatment. CA125 is a protein that some ovarian cancers make and release into the bloodstream. The bloodstream level of CA125 can sometimes go up before there are any signs of the cancer on scans.

Some women became very anxious when they had this test at each appointment. A large trial looked at how useful routine CA125 testing was as part of follow up for ovarian cancer.

The researchers found that giving treatment as soon as the cancer started to grow back worked no better than waiting until symptoms developed and then starting treatment. People having treatment earlier might also have a lower quality of life because of treatment side effects.

So now, doctors usually don't routinely test for CA125 on women who are well and have no symptoms which might be a sign of the cancer coming back.

[doodoolatrice]

Very interesting, thanks xx