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Someone just posted that her "tumor markers" were up and her cancer had spread. I have never heard of tumor markers. How do you find out when they go up??
Tumor markers are blood antigens for which they can test - my oncologist doesn't do them because she considers them unreliable indicators. For example, I had two IDC tumors and a large area of DCIS but my tumor markers were never elevated nor did they change at all after my BMX.
@A MyBCTeam Member @tibbet
I see my oncologist every 3-4 months post chemo and surgery and always have blood work at that time, testing for tumor markers, which my understanding is elevated levels can be an indicator of something cancerous in the body, early detection of possible recurrence, and the like. Then if they appear elevated, further testing (biopsies) are warranted. This kinda helps me keep my sanity since every time I have an ache or feel bad, I am convinced my cancer is back, Lol
I had a friend whose recurrence showed up in "tumor markers" found in blood tests, too. When I go to my follow-up exams (oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist), I never get blood work done. Only with my GP, and that's for cholesterol. Do others get blood work at follow-up exams?
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