Lab test · Oncology
CA 15-3 (Cancer Antigen 15-3)
Breast cancer marker
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 2 days
- Home collection
What this test is for
Breast cancer marker
CA 15-3 is a protein that some breast cancer cells release into the blood, and it is used as a tumour marker. It is mainly used in people who already have breast cancer, particularly cancer that has spread, to check how treatment is working and to watch for the cancer returning. It is often normal in early breast cancer, so it is not used for screening or diagnosis.
Why a doctor may order it
- To help monitor treatment of breast cancer that has spread
- During follow-up after breast cancer treatment, alongside other checks
- To set a baseline level before treatment starts
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You can eat, drink and take your usual medicines as normal, without fasting. Bring your earlier CA 15-3 reports for your doctor, as the change between results is more useful than any single value.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector comes to your home and takes a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. If you have had lymph nodes removed from one armpit, tell the collector so they can take blood from the other arm.
- Report
- Within 2 days of collection.
What the results can mean
Your report shows the CA 15-3 level next to the laboratory's reference range. A rising level may suggest the cancer is growing or has returned, while a falling level often goes with a good response to treatment. It can also be raised by liver disease, other cancers and some non-cancerous breast conditions, and it can be normal even when cancer is present. Your doctor will interpret the trend with scans and examination.
What's included
One test: CA 15-3 (Cancer Antigen 15-3), from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)CEA is a protein normally present only in very small amounts in adults' blood, but some cancers, particularly bowel (colorectal) cancer, can release more of it, so it is known as a tumour marker.
- CA-125 (Cancer Antigen 125)CA-125 is a protein that can be released into the blood by ovarian cancer cells, although other tissues in the body make it too.
- Tumour Marker Package for WomenThis panel measures five tumour markers, substances that can be raised by some cancers and also by several non-cancer conditions.
- Liver Function Test (LFT)A liver function test is a group of blood tests that show how well your liver is working and whether it is inflamed or damaged.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver, especially in the cells lining the bile ducts, and in bone.
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)Liver cancer & pregnancy marker৳650
Questions people ask
Can CA 15-3 detect breast cancer early?
No. CA 15-3 is often normal in early breast cancer, so it is not used for screening. Breast awareness and imaging, as your doctor advises, are used for early detection.
Why is CA 15-3 measured again and again?
The trend over time tells your doctor more than any single result. Repeated tests help show whether treatment is working.
What else can raise CA 15-3?
Liver disease, some non-cancerous breast conditions and several other cancers can raise it. Your doctor considers these when reading the result.
How much does a CA 15-3 test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳570, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the CA 15-3 test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the CA 15-3 report take?
The report is usually ready within 2 days of the sample being collected.