Ovarian cancer is diagnosed with the "tumor marker" CA-125 BLOOD TEST. Please insist on it even if your practitioner has never heard about it and age is no factor. Your insurance company might of never of heard of it either but there are a lot of things that they have never heard of and I do know from someone else that after one insurance company "conferring with whomever they confer with, CA-125 would be covered. It is $75 in a GP’s office and $125 at the GYN’s."  This is equivalent to a man’s PSA test prostate screen.   

 

www.pbs.org/healthweek/featurep1_233.htm

www.cedars-sinai.edu/1833.html

Dear K,

You are doing the right thing by trying to find out. Something is wrong if you "couldn’t get a word in edge wise" with a doctor. Also ask for screening of endometraul (sp ? ) and cervical cancer. The last one starts as cervical dysplasia and may take years to develop. You have a right to find out why you have long periods and not be just sent packing with a prescription that may or may not be the answer.

If you had prior vaginal surgery because of the CAH, Pap smears and pelvic exams might be more difficult do and interrupt do to the vaginal stenosis. Second opinions and more exams can’t hurt : ) 

Take Care,

Aimee