I am not aware of the He-4 test you mentioned. I will follow-up with my oncologist. Thank you.

Checking in on you Pat763.
How’s your day going?

Dear Pat763, you're very welcome....we need all the TOOLS of the TRADE to win this battle! You have a good day, and remember, you are in our thoughts!
🥰 Hugs, Kaye

Hello Kaye thank you again for sharing great info I will discuss with oncologist. Those tests could provide much needed help and hope to me and others while fighting to stay alive! Thank you for your support and help!🤗

Hi Dear Pat763, how's it going today. I looked up more info for you regarding the HE-4 and Natera blood tests. You probably might be interested since both monitors the cancer:

The HE4 (Human Epididymis Protein 4) test and Natera’s Signatera are both used in oncology but serve different purposes: HE4 is a protein biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring ovarian cancer, while Natera's Signatera is a personalized ctDNA test (molecular residual disease) used to detect recurrence.

HE4 Test Key Points:
Purpose: Primarily used in combination with CA125 (often as the ROMA index) to distinguish between benign and malignant ovarian tumors.

Performance: Offers higher specificity (96.8%) and sensitivity (77.5%) than CA125 alone in many studies.
Advantage: Unlike CA125, HE4 is not usually elevated by endometriosis, making it better at ruling out cancer in those cases.
Cost: Generally ranges from $180 to $950.

National Institutes of Health (.gov)

Natera (Signatera) Key Points:
Purpose: A Personalized, Tumor-Informed Assay (MRD) that uses a patient’s own tissue to track ctDNA in the blood. It is designed to detect cancer recurrence up to two years earlier than imaging.

Performance: Highly prognostic, with studies showing Signatera-positive patients having significantly higher recurrence rates.

Advantage: Can detect recurrence and molecular residual disease (MRD) after surgery, even when CA125 is not rising.

Controversy/Cost: Natera has faced lawsuits regarding marketing practices and billing, with high insurance-billed amounts, though they offer patient assistance programs.

With all of this said, I think monitoring is so key especially with microscopic cancer cells. Can't beat the Natera Test (detect cancer recurrence up to TWO YEARS EARLIER THAN IMAGING ) but hell, if we need it, we need it!

HANG TIGHT PAT, I'm with you!!!!
🥰. Kaye