‘Don’t mistake tumour markers for cancer screening’: Oncologist explains why
Oncologist Dr. Saneya Pandrowala warns that routine annual tumour marker blood tests are not recommended for healthy adults as a general cancer screening tool. She explains that these tests are better suited for monitoring diagnosed patients rather than early detection in the general population.
Why it matters
Clarifying the limitations of medical testing helps prevent unnecessary anxiety and misinterpretation of health data among the public.
A Dubai-based longevity clinic recently suggested that people include annual tumour marker tests—such as CEA, CA-125, AFP, CA 19-9 and PSA in their routine health check-ups to detect cancer early. But do these blood tests actually work as screening tools for healthy adults? According to Dr Saneya Pandrowala, Consultant, GI & HPB Oncosurgery, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, routine annual tumour marker testing is not recommended for most healthy people and should only be performed in specific clinical situations. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine. "For most healthy adults with no symptoms or significant family history, routine annual tumour marker testing is not recommended," she says.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in