cancer marker tests

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cancer marker tests

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cancer marker tests Went to see a horrible G.P. today, my normal one is away on holiday, and asked for my yearly bloodtests. My oncology department does not do routine blood tests any longer - we have discussed this in another thread. I asked to have the normal FBC, LFT, Calcium etc. and the cancer marker test. He was most unhelpful and said that apart from ESR (which I had before), there was nothing that would test for cancer. My normal GP last year actually said that there was a newer test, as ESR can give false postive results (you may have a slight infection etc. and it would show up as raised ESR). Unfortunately I did not remember the name of this test and the GP I saw today (even if he knew) was not prepared to go down that road.

My question therefore is whether anybody had any tumour marker tests and what the medical term is for this, so I can be a bit better prepared next time.

Thanks a lot.

Birgit

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Hi Birgit,

I believe the tumour marker is C15-3 for breast cancer. I have only recently starting having this tested. Each time it is done they can compare with previous one and if they get a higher reading it can suggest there is activity.

lol Ddawnhc

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Thank you Thanks for your reply, I thought it was this one, having read other threads, but thought it was not available in the UK? Anyway, I will discuss this with the oncologist in early Dec. and ask whether they can do this for me.

Birgit

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I’ve been having this marker test once a month ever since I was first diagnosed (with bc and mets) in 2003. (I live in the U.K. )
A good website for info is www.labtestsonline.org.uk

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markers I also have Ca15.3 markers tested every 3 months. I also have Ca125 as well. They definitely show good indications of any tumour activity as when tumours are active they release certain proteins into the blood. This is what these test, so the higher the level, the more the tumour/s are active.
When I was first dx with liver secs my Ca15.3 was something in the 2000 (!)area, after chemo went right down to 40 ish,(much more normal!) and is now about 200 so they’re keeping an eye!
It just flags up possible problems before you have symtoms so they can they do scans etc to see whats going on.
I don’t think I had them as a matter of course before I had secondaries though.
Love Kitkat

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Thanks girls Thank you all for your helpful advice - don’t know what I’ll do without this site. If you read my original post you’ll know that the (horrible) GP did not mention this at all. BUT, went to local hospital this morning with my bloodtest form and told a little ‘white’ lie. I said that I had discussed CM with GP but that he seemed to have forgotten to put it on the form. The nurse was most helpful, actually discussed what the CA 15-3 can test for, and said that although they are not normally permitted to add anything to the bloodtest request, she would do this for me. So will now make appointment with my normal GP and then discuss results.

So, thanks again girls, this has really helped me.