A cancer marker or tumor marker is a substance that is detected within the body of someone with cancer. The substance can be detected through urine, blood, or from the tumor itself. Cancer markers are used by physicians to determine early detection, aggressiveness of cancer, if certain treatment is working, or if there is a recurrence.
Breast Cancer Occurrence
According to the CDC, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. According to breastcancer.org, chances of having breast cancer increase with age with approximately 1 in 7 women having cancer over a 90-year life span; however, there are ways to lower risks. See the Resources section for information on lowering breast cancer risks.
Tests for Breast Cancer Markers
Tests for breast cancer markers include CA 15.3 and TRU-QUANT CA27.29, which are test designed to find breast cancer, and CA125 and Oncotype DX, which test for the risk of recurrence of breast cancer. And the ER/PR and HER2 tests are used to determine if certain treatments will be effective.
What Are They Used For?
Tests for breast cancer markers are used by a physician for a variety of reasons including to determine a patient's risk, to predict treatment success, to see how patient is progressing, and to find cancer before symptoms occur.
Reliability and Considerations
Breast cancer marker tests are not infallible. Negative results do not mean that you will not get cancer, and positive or elevated results do not necessarily mean the cancer has recurred. Working closely with a physician is imperative to understanding the results and treatments.
Gene Test
A new breast cancer test is a genetic test that does not look for cancer itself but rather at a woman's genes that are associated with breast cancer risk. These blood tests, called BRCA 1 and BRCA2, help physicians determine a person's risk for breast cancer particularly in those people with a family history of breast cancer.
Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer markers, cancer marker
