Like many of us, I’ve seen the pink ribbons and am wondering what I can do to check for breast cancer beyond feeling up my breasts. One of the easiest ways to check for cancer is to get a tumour maker test.
What Is a Tumour Marker Test?
Tumour markers are like clues your body gives when there might be cancer. They help doctors understand what kind of cancer it is, how bad it is, and if the treatment is working.
Traditionally markers used to be proteins and were found in blood, urine, or other places, but now there are also markers in the genes of tumours themselves (Duffy, 2012).
There are two main types of tumour marker tests:
– Ones found in your blood or urine, which help with things like predicting what might happen and checking if the treatment is helping,
– And others found in the actual tumour, which help diagnose, figure out how bad it is, and choose the right treatment.
Tumour Marker tests are used for both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, and growing evidence suggests they can be incredibly useful in the fight against cancer (Duffy, 2012).
Top 6 Reasons to Get A Tumour Marker Test
1. Early Detection: Tumor markers can often detect cancers of the breasts, prostate and ovarian amongst others (Duffy, 2012). By detecting these cancers at an early stage, even before symptoms appear, Patients can get quick treatment and better outcomes (Duffy, 2012).
2. Differentiating Types: Evidence suggests that Tumour Markers may aid in the distinguishing between benign and malignant disease (Duffy, 2012). These tests can also help determine the specific type of breast cancer, such as hormone receptor-positive or HER2-positive, which can be used to guide treatment decisions (Duffy, 2012; Molina et al., 2005).
3. Treatment Guidance: A big problem with cancer is over treatment and under treatment of cancer (Duffy, 2012).
Tumor markers provide information on how aggressive the cancer is, helping doctors tailor treatment plans, including the choice of therapies like chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted treatments (Duffy, 2012).
4. Monitoring Progress: one of the most common uses of these tests is to monitor the treatment progress of these diseases (Duffy, 2012).
During and after treatment, tumor markers help track how well the chosen treatment is working. A decrease in marker levels may indicate a positive response to treatment.
Multiple studies have shown that following curative surgery for colorectal cancer, patients undergoing an intensive surveillance regime that included regular carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) measurements (a type of tumour marker) had a significantly better outcome than those undergoing surveillance without CEA testing (Duffy, 2012).
5. Detecting Recurrence: Another incredibly common use of this test is for those in remission. Patients in remission usually have decreasing marker levels, while those with progressive disease generally have increasing levels (Molina et al., 2005). Thus, tumor markers can signal if breast cancer returns after treatment, allowing for early intervention and management.
6. Prognosis Estimation: They can provide insight into a patient’s prognosis, helping both patients and healthcare providers understand the likely course of the disease (Duffy, 2012).
While tumor markers are valuable tools, it’s essential to remember that they are typically used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests and clinical evaluations for a comprehensive breast cancer diagnosis and treatment plan.
What to Expect During Your Test
At Epicentre, we understand that getting tested can be a daunting process, which is why we strive to make it as simple and stress-free as possible. Here’s how you can get started:
Step 1: Choose the test you need
Step 2: Visit our testing centre
Step 3: Wait for your results
Book with Epicentre
For 20 years Epicentre has been fighting South African’s infectious diseases, and now we’re taking on COVID-19! We are a company founded on a vision, ending disease in South Africa! So we believe in making an IMPACT.
We are an independent organization that is committed to creating a positive impact on health & wellness for all in South Africa. We want to close the gap between unscreened, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled HIV & COVID-19 infections as well as other chronic diseases for all South Africans.
By booking your tests with Epicentre, you are supporting a real local company that has worked for 20 years in all 9 provinces, from Pollsmoor prison to Constantia; & you’re getting a gold standard service that experts trust!
