What Are Cancer Markers? A Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment
Cancer is a challenging disease that demands early detection and effective treatment strategies. In Singapore, cancer incidence rates have been rising over the last 50 years, with statistics predicting that 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
Where cancer care is concerned, “cancer markers” play a vital role in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring of disease progression as well as detecting potential recurrence phases. However, a cancer diagnosis itself — even with these advancements in detection and treatment — can still bring about significant financial challenges. In Singapore, late-stage treatment costs are projected at an average of S$100,000 - S$200,000 per year, highlighting the need for financial preparedness.
Read on to learn more about what cancer markers are, how they act as molecular signposts and their use in cancer treatment. Additionally, learn how term life insurance plans that provide coverage for critical illnesses can offer financial support during treatment, allowing you to focus on recovery.
What Are Cancer Markers?
Cancer markers are substances like proteins, hormones or other molecules that can be found in the blood, urine or body tissues of individuals with cancer. These substances act as "beacons," emitting signals that may indicate the presence of cancer. They are produced either by these cells themselves, or by the body as a response mechanism.
While not all cancers have identifiable markers, those that do can provide valuable information to healthcare professionals. For instance, elevated levels of a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) may suggest the presence of prostate cancer.
Although not definitive diagnostic tools on their own, cancer markers can offer clues about the type and extent of the disease when interpreted alongside other clinical findings and tests, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Some examples of cancer markers include:
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA): Elevated levels of this protein in the blood can indicate prostate cancer.
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA): Found in many cancer types, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, CEA levels can be elevated in these cases.
- CA 125: Ovarian cancer often shows elevated levels of this marker.
- CA 19-9: This marker is primarily associated with pancreatic cancer.
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP): Liver, ovarian or testicular cancer may show elevated levels of AFP.
- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): This marker can be elevated in certain types of testicular cancer and gestational trophoblastic diseases.
The Role of Cancer Markers in Diagnosis
Cancer markers can play a crucial role in the early detection of cancer through screening tests. For example, elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood could indicate the potential presence of prostate cancer.
In other cases, cancer markers can help confirm a suspected cancer diagnosis — or determine the specific type and stage of cancer — which is essential for guiding treatment decisions.
Examples of cancer markers in screening:
- PSA Test for Prostate Cancer: The PSA test is a blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) — a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatitis.
- Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer: The Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. It involves collecting cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope for abnormalities. The Pap smear can detect precancerous changes in the cervix, which can be treated to prevent cervical cancer from developing.
- Mammogram for Breast Cancer: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that can detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. Mammograms are recommended for women starting at age 40, or earlier if they have a family history of breast cancer.
The use of cancer markers in diagnosis is a constantly evolving field, with new markers being discovered and their applications being refined. Combined with new cancer therapy options, continuous advancement in the oncology field hopes for earlier and more accurate cancer detection, as well as effective treatment, in the future.
For instance, ongoing research is exploring the use of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a cancer marker, which holds promise for more precise and even more personalised cancer care. By analysing ctDNA released by tumour cells into the bloodstream, doctors can gain insights into the genetic makeup of the cancer, helping to guide treatment decisions and monitor response to therapy.
Cancer Markers in Monitoring Treatment and Recurrence
Cancer markers are not only useful in diagnosis, but also for monitoring the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Decreasing levels of a cancer marker may indicate that the treatment is working, while increasing levels might signal disease progression or recurrence.
For instance, if a patient's CEA levels begin to rise after an initial period of decline, it could signal the need to adjust the treatment strategy or explore alternative options.
Therefore, the importance of regular monitoring cannot be understated, as it allows for a more proactive and personalised approach to cancer management.
Monitoring Cancer Markers During Treatment:
- Regular Blood Tests: During cancer treatment, your doctor may order regular blood tests to monitor your cancer marker levels. This can help them assess how well the treatment is working and make any necessary adjustments to your care plan.
- Imaging Tests: Imaging tests, such as CT scans or PET scans, may also be used to monitor your cancer and assess your response to treatment.
- Physical Exams: Your doctor will also perform regular physical exams to check for any signs of cancer recurrence or progression.
Limitations of Cancer Markers
While cancer markers are powerful tools, they do have limitations. Not all cancers have associated markers, and some markers can be elevated in non-cancerous conditions. This is why it's crucial to interpret cancer marker results in conjunction with other diagnostic tests and clinical evaluations, and not on its own.
For instance, elevated levels of the CA-125 marker, often associated with ovarian cancer, can also be observed in non-cancerous conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Therefore, healthcare professionals consider a range of factors, including medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests, to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
It's also important to remember that cancer markers are not foolproof, and should always be interpreted within the broader context of a patient's overall health and clinical presentation.
Factors That Could Affect Cancer Marker Levels Include:
- Age: Some cancer markers, such as PSA, naturally increase with age.
- Treatments: Certain treatments — like chemotherapy — can affect cancer marker levels.
- Other Medical Conditions: Some non-cancerous conditions, such as inflammation and benign growths, can also cause elevated cancer marker levels.
The Importance of Financial Security
A cancer diagnosis can bring about significant financial challenges, from medical expenses and loss of income to the costs of ongoing care and support. These financial burdens can add to the emotional and physical stress of battling cancer, making it even more challenging to focus on recovery. Therefore, having a financial safety net in place can alleviate some of these worries, allowing individuals to prioritise their health and well-being.
Income Insurance's Complete Cancer Care is a term life insurance plan that provides comprehensive support every step of the way, from diagnosis to remission. Some of the notable coverages includes:
- First in Singapore to provide guaranteed post-cancer cover option1 — purchase a new term plan for extra coverage upon the diagnosis of advanced stage major cancer.
- Future premiums waived2 for a specified period up to the end of the policy term upon the diagnosis of major cancer.
- Receive up to 1% of the sum assured per month for up to 24 months3 to help reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for cancer treatment.
Regardless of your age, insurance can be an important safety net for you. It's also essential to remember that getting insurance coverage is crucial before receiving a diagnosis, as coverage is usually not provided once a condition has been diagnosed.
By securing term life insurance that provides coverage for critical illnesses, like Complete Cancer Care, you can gain valuable peace of mind knowing that you have the necessary support to navigate the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
This allows you to focus on what matters most — your health and well-being. Learn more about Complete Cancer Care or contact an advisor today!
1 Upon diagnosis with advanced stage major cancer, the insured may choose to take up a new term policy with only death, terminal illness and total and permanent disability (TPD) benefits on the insured own life, without Income having to assess their health. The waiting period of the new term policy is 2 years. If the insured makes a claim on the new term policy during the 2 years of waiting period, Income will refund 100% of the premiums paid on the term policy issued under this option.
The sum assured for the new term policy will be limited to:
- 100% of the sum assured for this policy; or
- $200,000 per life
aggregating policies issued under the guaranteed post-cancer cover option, whichever is lower.
Income will decide the type of new policy to be offered and the insured must meet all the following conditions to take up this option:
- The insured must take up this option within 6 months from the date of claim admittance of the advanced stage major cancer benefit.
- The insured must not be totally and permanently disabled, terminally ill or be diagnosed with an advanced-stage dread disease other than major cancer, at the time of taking up this option.
- The insured must be 60 years old last birthday or under at the time of taking up this option
2 Income will pay the Premium Waiver Benefit according to your selected option under the Major Cancer Benefit.
- If the policyholder selected Care 50, upon diagnosis of early or intermediate stage major cancer, Income will waive the premiums up to 60 months or end of policy term, whichever is earlier, and the policyholder will have to pay premiums thereafter. This benefit for early or intermediate stage major cancer can only be claimed once. Income will waive the premiums until the end of policy term upon diagnosis of advanced stage major cancer.
- If the policyholder selected Care 100, Income will waive the premiums until the end of policy term upon diagnosis of any stage of major cancer.
The premium waiver will start from the policy month immediately after the diagnosis date of the major cancer. The policy will continue to apply for the remaining unclaimed benefits during this premium waiver period even though the policyholder is not paying the premiums. Income will not pay this benefit if the insured suffered symptoms of, had investigations for, or was diagnosed with, any stage of major cancer any time before or within 90 days from the cover start date
3 Income will pay a Monthly Cancer Therapy Benefit as long as the insured is diagnosed with major cancer by a specialist and recommended in writing that the treatment is a necessary medical treatment for cancer according to relevant guidelines from Ministry of Health (MOH) and has started cancer treatment as advised by a specialist. Income will make the first payment starting from the policy month immediately after the cancer treatment start date. For more details on the types of cancer treatment, please refer to the policy conditions. The maximum amount Income will pay for this benefit is $60,000 per life. Income will not pay more than a total number of 12 payouts for early or intermediate stage major cancer. If the insured has already received payouts during early stage, there will not be further payouts during intermediate stage. The sum of the total number of payouts for this benefit will not exceed 24 payouts. The number of payouts for the advanced stage major cancer will be 24 less the number of payouts Income have paid for the early or intermediate stage major cancer under this benefit. Income will not pay this benefit if the insured suffered symptoms of, had investigations for, or was diagnosed with, any stage of major cancer any time before or within 90 days from the cover start date. Please refer to the policy conditions for further details
This article is meant purely for informational purposes and does not constitute an offer, recommendation, solicitation or advise to buy or sell any product(s). It should not be relied upon as financial advice. The precise terms, conditions and exclusions of any Income Insurance products mentioned are specified in their respective policy contracts. Please seek independent financial advice before making any decision.
These policies are protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact Income Insurance or visit the GIA/LIA or SDIC websites (www.gia.org.sg or www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).
This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
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