Tumour marker testing: a cautious approach
A case-based perspective to pathology in general practice
This publication is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.
Common Sense Pathology is developed by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and supported by Australian Doctor Group.
Earlier detection of cancer is associated with higher rates of overall survival1. This principle has driven the adoption of screening tests for cancer such as BreastScreen.
The idea of blood tests for the detection of cancer is attractive, but most of these are hindered by poor sensitivity and specificity. This limits their use to monitoring of previously treated cancer.
