PMID: 11326691May 1, 2001Paper

Serial CEA and CA 15-3 measurements during follow-up of breast cancer patients

Anticancer Research
W JägerS Krämer

Abstract

CEA and CA 15-3 are adequate parameters for the early diagnosis of metastases in breast cancer patients. During the last years serial marker measurements have been discussed controversely and moreover accused of frightening breast cancer patients in the sense of a tumor marker terror. Therefore we evaluated the acceptance and practicability of an intense follow-up program including monthly measurements of CEA and CA 15-3. Between 1985 and 1995. 547 breast cancer patients were asked to give blood samples every four weeks for CEA and CA 15-3 measurements. In a field research study using a half-standardized interview by telephone we evaluated the acceptance of serial marker measurements in defined aspects: personal acceptance, blood sampling intervals, form of information, role of the home practitioner, motivation. 280 patients could be analyzed for the acceptance of this follow-up program. 52% of this patient group accepted serial tumor marker measurements, while 48% did not. 99% of the participating patients agreed to monthly blood sampling intervals compared to only 41% of the non-participating patients. 64% of the analyzed patients would have preferred both written and personal information about the role of CEA and CA 15-3 and...Continue Reading

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