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Four female-relevant tumour markers for informed cancer vigilance. Not a diagnosis — a signal and a baseline.
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A four-marker cancer risk screen for women covering CA-125 (ovarian), CEA (colorectal), AFP (liver), and CA 15-3 (breast). Venous draw required.
This panel provides a female-specific tumour marker screen covering the four most clinically relevant serum cancer markers for women. CA-125 is an ovarian cancer-associated antigen widely used in both clinical practice and private screening, though its specificity is limited by elevation in endometriosis, fibroids, and other gynaecological conditions. CA 15-3 is associated with breast cancer and is used primarily in monitoring rather than primary screening. CEA and AFP extend the screen to include colorectal, liver, and upper gastrointestinal malignancy signals. As with all tumour marker panels, this test is a risk stratification and longitudinal monitoring tool, not a diagnostic test. An elevated result requires specialist investigation; a normal result does not exclude cancer. GMC-registered physician review is included, with clear commentary on the significance and recommended next steps for each result.
Understand what each marker measures, why it matters, and what the science says — not just a list of numbers.
This panel is designed for adults who want a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of their metabolic health — not a GP referral panel.
Women aged 40 and over wanting a cancer risk baseline
Women with a family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer
Women with known endometriosis or fibroids monitoring CA-125 over time
Those who have completed breast cancer treatment and want to monitor CA 15-3
Women with a BRCA gene variant seeking additional monitoring alongside specialist surveillance
CA-125 is elevated in 50 to 80 percent of women with epithelial ovarian cancer but is also elevated in endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, liver disease, heart failure, and in the first trimester of normal pregnancy. CA-125 alone is not an effective screening tool for ovarian cancer in low-risk women; the ROCA algorithm (combining serial CA-125 with ultrasound) has stronger evidence for high-risk populations. CA 15-3 sensitivity for early breast cancer is approximately 20 to 30 percent; it is not effective as a standalone screen for primary breast cancer detection but is more useful in monitoring for recurrence in women with a prior diagnosis. These limitations should be clearly understood before testing.
From order to physician-reviewed report in as little as three working days.
Venous draw required for this panel.
CA-125 is naturally higher during menstruation; early follicular phase or post-menopause is ideal.
Within 24 hours of receipt.
Physician commentary with clear next-step guidance in 3 to 5 working days.
Three options designed to fit your schedule, location, and preference — all producing a laboratory-standard sample.
Adults 18+ in mainland UK. Not suitable if you have had a transfusion in the last 3 months.
Order anytime; kit dispatched within 24 hours Mon–Fri.
Allow 24–48 hours for sample transit on top of lab processing time.
Adults 18+ within 20 miles of a serviced city centre.
Mon–Sun, 06:00–20:00. Next-day booking typical.
Sample reaches the lab within 24 hours of collection.
Adults 16+ with photo ID. Paediatric draws by appointment at selected sites.
Mon–Fri, with Saturday hours at most metropolitan locations.
Samples processed same-day at the receiving clinic.
Every test is processed in a UKAS ISO 15189-accredited laboratory, overseen by GMC-registered physicians, and governed by UK GDPR. No overseas processing, no offshore data.
Follow these guidelines to ensure accurate, reproducible results. Most markers are sensitive to recent food, exercise, and sleep.
Can't find your answer? Our clinical support team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
Contact supportCA-125 above 35 U/mL is considered elevated, but this threshold is associated with significant false positive rates in premenopausal women because endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, and even menstruation itself can raise CA-125 substantially. In postmenopausal women, CA-125 is more specific because the benign gynaecological causes are less common; an elevated result in a postmenopausal woman warrants prompt GP review for pelvic ultrasound. In premenopausal women, an elevated result should be contextualised against known gynaecological conditions before unnecessary anxiety is generated. Your physician commentary will guide you appropriately.
CA-125 is often elevated in endometriosis even without cancer, which limits its cancer-screening specificity in women with this condition. However, serial CA-125 monitoring in women with known endometriosis can still be informative: a sudden or significant rise above your personal established baseline — particularly after menopause — may warrant further investigation. CA-125 is also sometimes used by gynaecologists to assess the extent and activity of endometriosis, though it is not a validated marker for this purpose on its own.
Unfortunately, CA 15-3 has limited sensitivity for early-stage breast cancer; studies suggest it is elevated in only 20 to 30 percent of Stage I breast cancers. It is more sensitive for later-stage disease and is used primarily in clinical practice to monitor women with known breast cancer for disease progression or recurrence following treatment. It is not a replacement for mammography or breast MRI for screening. If you have a strong family history or a BRCA gene variant, specialist-led mammography or MRI surveillance through your GP or NHS genetic services is the evidence-based approach.
Women who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants have significantly elevated lifetime risks of breast (up to 80 percent) and ovarian (up to 44 percent) cancer compared with the general population. These women are typically offered specialist NHS surveillance through family history clinics, which may include annual breast MRI from age 20 to 30, enhanced mammography, risk-reducing medication, and consideration of risk-reducing surgery. Blood-based tumour marker surveillance in BRCA carriers is supplementary to rather than a replacement for these specialist programmes. BRCA genetic testing is separate from this blood panel.
If you have a first-degree relative with ovarian cancer, you may be eligible for NHS surveillance under the UKFOCSS (United Kingdom Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study) programme or through your local genetics service. This programme uses serial CA-125 combined with transvaginal ultrasound, which has substantially better sensitivity than CA-125 alone. If you are not yet referred and have a family history, discuss this with your GP as the first step. Private CA-125 monitoring in conjunction with regular GP reviews is reasonable while awaiting NHS referral or as an additional layer of vigilance.
