Health Corner

There are many types of cancer screening methods available today—from traditional imaging tests and tumor marker blood tests to the recent development of mRNA “liquid biopsy” blood tests. Each has its own applications and limitations.To choose the most suitable test, it’s important to understand how they work, their accuracy, and who they are best suited for. What are the common types of cancer screening tests? 1. Tumor Marker Tests (Cancer Marker / Tumor Marker) Doctors often use blood tests to measure tumor markers, which help assess cancer risk, monitor...

A tumor marker is not a “cancer diagnosis certificate.” It refers to specific proteins or substances found in the blood or body fluids that often appear elevated in cancer patients. These markers help doctors suspect, monitor, or track the progression of cancer. What does a high value mean? These markers are actually molecules that normal cells also produce, but cancer cells may release them in greater quantities or in abnormal forms. When the value rises above the normal range, it acts like a red flag—signaling that further investigation may be needed. If your tumor...

Don’t panic if your tumor marker result is abnormal! An abnormal tumor marker reading doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Tumor markers only indicate the risk of cancer—it cannot confirm a diagnosis on its own. What are tumor markers? Tumor markers are proteins or antigens produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to cancer.Common examples include alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for liver cancer, cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) for pancreatic cancer, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for colorectal cancer. Doctors check these marker levels through a simple blood...

When people talk about taking an mRNA test, they’re usually referring to using mRNA dynamic gene technology to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood — a method for early or ultra-early cancer screening.This means mRNA technology is no longer limited to its role in COVID-19 vaccines; it has now become a tool for cancer detection. This test requires only a few milliliters of blood to analyze whether there are abnormal tumor cells present in the body. It is regarded as a way to preliminarily assess the risk of malignant tumors through a simple blood draw. Because of...

There are many types of cancer screening methods available — but what exactly sets them apart? Can any test tell you with 100% certainty whether you have cancer?Let’s take a closer look at two major types of blood-based cancer screening: Cancer Marker Tests and mRNA Testing. The first helps with preliminary risk assessment, while the second focuses on ultra-early detection.They differ in principle, accuracy, and target users — and combining both can improve overall screening results. What is a cancer marker test? A cancer marker test measures the concentration of...