CA-125 can be elevated in other situations, as well.
False-positives may lead to patients being subjected to further unnecessary tests and added anxiety.
What Is Abnormal Glycosylation?
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Abnormal (or aberrant) glycosylation refers to how cancer cells put carbohydrates and proteins together to sustain themselves.
“Cancer cells, like any other cells, have to produce specific proteins,” Gaither says.
“In the process of doing so, carbohydrates are utilized.
Glycosylation involves carbohydrate use in the making of proteins.
In cancer cells, they have an aberrant glycosylation process, which this test specifically identifies.”
Gaither says the test has specific advantages.
Should You Be Screened?
“The two most common genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, connect breast and ovarian cancer.”
Genetic screening can also be important even if you’ve already been diagnosed with cancer.
Discovering a gene mutation can help predict your risk of developing another key in of cancer.
“Unfortunately, there is no effective screening for early detection of ovarian cancer,” Lambrou says.
“By visiting your gynecologist annually for a routine pelvic exam, potential abnormalities may be identified sooner.”
He adds that routine gynecological visits are still important, even during COVID-19.
The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the prognosis is for the patient.
“Surgery by an experienced gynecological oncologist remains the mainstay of treatment for ovarian cancer,” Lambrou says.
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