Female Tumour Markers
Private Female Tumour Markers testing in London for £238, assessing 5 tumour-associated biomarkers with results expected in around 1–2 days.
Turnaround time
2 business days
Biomarkers count
5
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Overview of the Female Tumour Markers Test
biomarkers used principally for monitoring and specialist investigation rather than general cancer diagnosis**.
The profile includes Alpha Fetoprotein, CA 125, CA 15-3, Cancer Antigen 19-9 and Carcino Embryonic Antigen.
Tumour markers are substances that can be produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to certain malignant and non-malignant conditions.
Their clinical value depends heavily on why they are being measured.
Tumour markers are generally most useful when a person already has a relevant diagnosis, abnormal imaging, a previous raised marker or a defined specialist reason for monitoring.
They have important limitations when used as screening tests.
A normal tumour-marker result does not rule out cancer.
Many cancers do not produce significant marker elevations, particularly at an early stage.
Likewise, an elevated tumour marker does not automatically indicate cancer because benign conditions can also increase several of these measurements.
CA 125 is associated particularly with epithelial ovarian cancer monitoring, but it can also rise with endometriosis, menstruation, fibroids, pregnancy, pelvic inflammation and other benign conditions.
CA 15-3 is most commonly used during monitoring of selected breast cancers rather than screening for breast cancer.
Cancer Antigen 19-9 is associated particularly with pancreatic and biliary malignancies but can rise with benign biliary obstruction and inflammation.
Carcino Embryonic Antigen is widely used during monitoring of colorectal cancer and selected other malignancies, but smoking and several benign conditions can also raise it.
Alpha Fetoprotein can be relevant to hepatocellular carcinoma and selected germ-cell tumours, while non-malignant liver disease and pregnancy can also alter AFP.
The five-marker profile therefore provides a broad laboratory assessment but should not be interpreted as a general female cancer check that can confirm or exclude malignancy.
What Does the Female Tumour Markers Test Check?
The profile measures five tumour-associated biomarkers linked with ovarian, breast, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and selected germ-cell malignancies. This test measures 5 specialist biomarkers.
Alpha Fetoprotein
Measures AFP, a tumour-associated protein used particularly in assessment and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma and selected germ-cell tumours while recognising that non-malignant conditions can also alter the result.
CA 125
Measures a tumour-associated marker used particularly during assessment and monitoring of epithelial ovarian cancer, although several benign gynaecological and inflammatory conditions can also increase it.
CA 15-3
Measures a tumour-associated marker used principally for monitoring selected breast cancers rather than screening or diagnosis in otherwise healthy women.
Cancer Antigen 19-9
Measures CA 19-9, a marker most commonly associated with pancreatic and biliary malignancies but which can also increase in non-malignant hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal conditions.
Carcino Embryonic Antigen
Measures CEA, a tumour-associated glycoprotein commonly used during monitoring of colorectal and selected other cancers while recognising that smoking and benign disease can also raise the result.
Who May Benefit From the Female Tumour Markers Test?
This panel is most appropriate where tumour markers have been specifically requested as part of a broader clinical assessment or established monitoring pathway.
Women with a previous cancer diagnosis where one or more of these markers were clinically relevant - Serial measurements can sometimes contribute to treatment or recurrence monitoring.
Women with a previous abnormal tumour-marker result - Repeat testing can help establish whether a marker is stable, rising or falling.
Women undergoing investigation following abnormal imaging - Tumour markers can occasionally provide supplementary information alongside scans and specialist review.
Women with an ovarian mass under specialist assessment - CA 125 may contribute to the wider clinical picture, although it cannot diagnose ovarian cancer by itself.
Women undergoing monitoring for selected breast cancers - CA 15-3 can be useful in certain established cancer-monitoring pathways.
People with hepatobiliary or gastrointestinal abnormalities under investigation - AFP, CA 19-9 and CEA can provide supplementary laboratory information in selected cases.
People undergoing clinician-directed cancer follow-up - Tumour-marker trends can be useful where the relevant marker was informative at diagnosis.
Women who understand the limitations of tumour-marker testing - The panel should not be relied upon to exclude cancer in the absence of other appropriate investigations.
How to Prepare
Do not alter cancer treatment or other prescribed medication solely to influence tumour-marker results.
Where a marker is being monitored over time, comparison using the same laboratory method can make trends easier to interpret.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Female Tumour Markers Test
Tumour markers do not correspond to one specific symptom pattern and should never replace appropriate investigation of concerning symptoms.
A persistent abdominal or pelvic mass under clinical investigation - Imaging and specialist examination remain central, with tumour markers occasionally providing additional information.
Persistent abdominal bloating or pelvic symptoms - Symptoms require clinical assessment, particularly when new or persistent.
A previous breast cancer diagnosis - CA 15-3 may be used in selected monitoring pathways.
A previous colorectal cancer diagnosis - CEA can form part of follow-up where it was clinically informative.
An abnormal liver or pancreatic investigation - AFP or CA 19-9 can sometimes provide supplementary laboratory information.
Unexplained weight loss under medical assessment - Tumour markers should only form a small part of a broader investigation.
A previous elevated CA 125, CA 15-3, CEA, AFP or CA 19-9 result - Repeat testing can help establish trends.
Monitoring during or after established cancer treatment - Marker changes can occasionally provide additional information about treatment response or recurrence.
This panel cannot diagnose cancer and cannot reliably rule cancer out.
Normal tumour markers do not exclude breast, ovarian, colorectal, pancreatic, liver or other cancers.
Likewise, raised markers can occur with benign conditions.
Persistent unexplained symptoms, a new lump or mass, abnormal bleeding, unexplained weight loss or concerning imaging requires appropriate clinical assessment regardless of tumour-marker results.
How to Book Your Female Tumour Markers Test
The Female Tumour Markers profile can be booked privately for laboratory measurement of five tumour-associated biomarkers.
Choose the Female Tumour Markers
Select the 5-marker Female Tumour Markers profile online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy where suitable.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample and relevant medical history can be documented.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum undergoes measurement of Alpha Fetoprotein, CA 125, CA 15-3, Cancer Antigen 19-9 and Carcino Embryonic Antigen.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised results are delivered securely and should be interpreted alongside medical history, imaging and previous tumour-marker results where appropriate.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current live London Blood Tests product header lists a turnaround of approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt for the Female Tumour Markers profile.
The five biomarkers undergo laboratory analysis, quality-control procedures and result authorisation.
Turnaround begins when the specimen reaches the laboratory rather than necessarily from the exact time of collection.
Where an unexpected result requires repeat analysis or additional investigations, the overall clinical process can take longer.
Understanding Your Results
Each of the five tumour markers has different clinical associations and must be interpreted separately.
Alpha Fetoprotein can rise in hepatocellular carcinoma and selected germ-cell tumours.
It can also change with pregnancy and non-malignant liver disease.
CA 125 is commonly associated with epithelial ovarian cancer monitoring.
However, menstruation, endometriosis, fibroids, pregnancy and pelvic or abdominal inflammation can also increase the result.
CA 15-3 is principally used for monitoring selected breast cancers.
A normal result cannot exclude breast cancer, and a raised value is not diagnostic by itself.
Cancer Antigen 19-9 can rise in pancreatic or biliary malignancies but can also become significantly elevated during benign biliary obstruction or inflammation.
Some people do not produce CA 19-9 because of their Lewis antigen status.
Carcino Embryonic Antigen is particularly useful in colorectal cancer monitoring.
Smoking and several benign gastrointestinal, liver and respiratory conditions can also increase CEA.
For all five biomarkers, trends over time can be more useful than one isolated result when a known disease is being monitored.
Any abnormal marker should be reviewed in relation to the clinical reason for testing rather than interpreted as proof of cancer.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private access to five tumour-associated markers within one female-focused laboratory profile.
Measures 5 tumour-associated biomarkers - The panel includes AFP, CA 125, CA 15-3, CA 19-9 and CEA.
Includes an ovarian-associated marker - CA 125 is widely used during assessment and monitoring of selected ovarian cancers.
Includes a breast-associated marker - CA 15-3 can provide information during monitoring of selected breast cancers.
Includes gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary markers - CEA, CA 19-9 and AFP can provide supplementary information in appropriate clinical settings.
Useful for serial monitoring - Trends can be more informative than isolated values where a marker is already being followed.
Rapid laboratory turnaround - The current product header lists approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt.
Professional blood collection - Clinic and suitable home or hotel phlebotomy appointments are available.
Clear pricing - The Female Tumour Markers profile costs £238.
Private Female Tumour Markers Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Female Tumour Markers testing for women requiring measurement of five tumour-associated laboratory markers.
The profile costs £238 and assesses 5 biomarkers.
The current product header lists results in approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt.
This profile is principally useful for specialist investigation or monitoring and should not be used as a standalone cancer screening test.