Are tumour markers used in British Columbia or other provinces?

I think tumour markers are used by some oncs for women in treatment for advanced disease, late stage 3 or 4. It helps to monitor effectiveness. I've heard they are very unreliable though, which is probably why they're not used in other situations.  

I've been getting tumor markers done in BC for 16 years.  Some doc's order them others don't.  For me they work, they elevated with both BC #2 and BC #3.  I added CA125 which is ovarian tumor marker a few years ago and follow it yearly.

There are two BC TM's CA153 and CA2729.  CA2729 is a newer test, but it seems CA153 is the 'gold standard'. 

If you want to follow your TM's then ask your doc for a bloodwork requisition.  It's best to have it done prior to your first surgery and then after to set a benchmark.  Having said that, TM's are not the be-all and end-all, they're just an indicator that something may be going on and further investigation may be warranted.

I have a personal opinion why TM's aren't encouraged - it's related directly to our over-burdened medical system and additional follow-up testing.  But that's just MHO.

Lou, I agree with more rather than less.  It's always a great thing to be your own advocate.  Our system is so beat up it isn't fair to expect over worked medical folks to pick up each and every little detail for everyone.  The more engaged you are in treatment and follow up the better for you.

Yes, 3 different BC's is a bit much but they were only a temporary slow down.  Getting used to having someone else's hair and body (lol) takes a little time, but we all adapt as best we can.  Like Reader's Digest, I find laughter to be the best medicine and I am totally irreverant when it comes to BC.  I flatly refuse to allow BC to take more from me than what it took without my permission!

I hope you're close enough to join us when we get together in October when I'm back.  Of course y'all don't have to wait for me!

Lou, Lower Mainlanders (and anyone else who wants to come) are getting together. I'm away until October but if everyone wants to meet sooner we can meet again when I get back!

Benny, CEA does have a reputation for false highs, that's why it is considered in conjunction with with other bloodwork and dx history. The referral may have been automatic. Since you're just a couple of weeks out of surgery have you seen an Onc yet? Reading our own lab results is a double edged sword. It can cause undue worry, but it's also important to be your own advocate and help our challenged medical system help us. Its best to try not to worry until you're told you have something to worry about. Right now all you know is that you have been referred. The waiting sux, but it's more important to focus on healing from your surgery than it is to worry about the 'what if's'. But I know it isn't easy, especially in the beginning when this is all so new and frightening.

MarieK I'm not in treatment yet! I'm actually very concerned as the initial lump was dismissed as a secondary fibroadenoma. It's been 4 months since the abnormal mammogram and I still don't have a definitive diagnosis. It took me 7 weeks just to see a surgeon and then another month for first biopsy where she didn't take any margins because assumed it was fibro, went in a month later to have a second surgery to remove margins but still not clear. My surgeon is on holidays so I got the second report from the clinic where my family doctor is. Here we are 3 weeks after second surgery and I'm still waiting to find out what's next.

 I have been told by many that I must see a breast cancer oncologist at BCAA so I have an appointment to try and get referred there. I think 4 months since bad mammogram until now is too long. So far they think it's DCIS - they can see no "definitive signs of invasion" but they do recommend a sentinal lymph node biopsy to be sure. Plus according to my report there is possible ruptured ducts. As mine is grade 3 with comedo necrosis it seems that it's likely it will get out of the ducts soon.

Has anyone else experienced such a long wait. My surgeon (not a breast specialist) has referred to my case as complicated because when they intially went in there it was to removed a fibroadenoma and they didn't expect the smaller lump to show cancer.

I just want a diagnosis before it goes any further.

I saw my ONC today for a follow up to the Bone Scan and C/T Scan I recently had done.  

My C/T scan was clear but the Bone Scan showed a suspicious lesion on my RIGHT HIP!  What the heck??

She asked me if I had injured my hip or fallen recently.  I honestly don't remember...I am rather clumsy and bump myself constantly.

But the funny thing is that I did fall quite badly on my right side 2 days AFTER the bone scan! I know I sound frail and off balance but I'm really not - I'm just a bit clumsy and I have an old dog that keeps getting under foot!

Anyway now I have to get my right hip x-rayed (going on Friday) and do a repeat of my bloodwork next week. 

Could an injury to my hip have caused the TMs to increase? Or could the BC have spread to my opposite hip?  That sounds very unlikely! 

The ONC didn't seem that concerned about the hip thing but did say she wanted to follow up on the TM increase. 

I see the ONC again on Nov 1 (I'm away Oct 12 - 18) to go over the results of the xray and the repeat blood work.

Should I do a cleanse before my next bloodwork or just eat/drink normally and see what happens?

I'm not sure what to do - I want an accurate reading from one test to the other.

Hi Lou ... yes apparently the CEA's are sent there and the doctor can call for results.