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Do the CA 27-29 and CA 15.3 tumor markers we are tested for increase for other reasons that isn’t reoccurrence?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭

I’ve had the tests twice. First time, normal range CA 27-29 was 19.3 and the other was as well. I just had labs done again and both bio markers have increased. The CA 15-3 was a small increase but the CA 27-29 bumped up from 19.3 to 30.6. Now, this is also still in normal range, high end of that range, but I did the math. That’s a 58% increase in 3 months. I’m not sure if that is significant or if I am just over worrying about every possible scenario at this point. I also had a CT chest scan a… read more

May 5
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MyBCTeam

First — please don't apologize for sharing a lot. This is exactly the kind of thing worth talking through, and your instinct to pay close attention to your own body and numbers is not hypochondria. It's being a good advocate for yourself. 💙

On CA 27-29 and CA 15-3 tumor markers:

Yes, these markers can rise for reasons Show Full Answer

First — please don't apologize for sharing a lot. This is exactly the kind of thing worth talking through, and your instinct to pay close attention to your own body and numbers is not hypochondria. It's being a good advocate for yourself. 💙

On CA 27-29 and CA 15-3 tumor markers:

Yes, these markers can rise for reasons other than recurrence. They can be influenced by:

- Benign breast conditions
- Liver or kidney changes
- Recent surgery or tissue healing (you're only 6 months post-op!)
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Even pausing tamoxifen could potentially affect levels

A single rising result still within normal range is generally not considered diagnostic on its own. Trends over multiple tests matter more than one jump. On the lung nodule:

A 2mm nodule is very small, and a 12-month follow-up recommendation suggests the radiologist wasn't alarmed. However, don't wait until June — contact your oncology team now and let them know about both the nodule and the marker increase. They should connect these dots together, not separately.

On your symptoms:

Migraines and nausea while pausing tamoxifen are worth flagging again as you restart it. Your oncology team needs the full picture — the markers, the nodule, and how you're feeling — all at once, not piecemeal.

You're not overreacting. You're three pieces of a puzzle that your oncologist needs to see together, and sooner rather than later is always the right call when something feels off.

May 5
A MyBCTeam Member

Hi Tara—I’m 77 and I smoked from college until I was about 70, so 50 years. It’s a tough habit to break. I’m sending positive energy your way as you grapple with the decision to quit. You can do it and it may pay off health wise!

May 6
A MyBCTeam Member

Thank you everyone for your kind words of encouragement. I’m letting it go from my mind for now and will make sure my doctors are all caught up by my next appointment. I have also been a smoker for more than three decades. I quit in September before surgery but regretfully picked them back up halfway thru radiation. I justified it because of stress, life is a lot sometimes. lol I’m trying to get in the mindset to quit again. You’d think my health would be enough but I got a die hard personality to contend with. Anyway, thanks again ladies for being an ear. I am praying for all of you, as you navigate this journey we find ourselves on.

May 6
A MyBCTeam Member

No need to worry about sharing too much, because what you are feeling is what most of us experience, every new "something" our minds go to the cancer possibility first, And yes, family and friends do not get how difficult it is to move on from the diagnosis, because we are very aware of the risk of recurrence.
I'm sorry about the jump in the CA 27-29 test. Often, if the test shows higher than expected numbers, they redo the test to see if the results can be replicated. There are other conditions that can cause the number to rise besides cancer. Hoping this is just one of those "blips" and will self correct with a second test. Keeping you in prayers! Hugs!

May 5
A MyBCTeam Member

Hi Tara. Sorry to hear you're going through all of this. For peace of mind ask your oncologist if they can do a PET scan to check out that nodule and the rest of your body for any signs of cancer. I was a heavy smoker for over 40 years and I happen to have a benign lung nodule that they found during my 1st PET scan in 2021. I've had cancer 6 times now and get PET scans every 3 months.. They always check on that nodule and it hasn't changed in over 5 years. Just wanted to share about the nodule and suggest the PET scan. Good luck, hope your test results aren't anything serious ❤️

May 5

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