Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3–4 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Early detection when treatment is most effective and survival rates reach 90%
- Comprehensive screening for five major cancers in one convenient blood draw
- No physician referral required—take control of your health screening
- Confidential results delivered securely online within days
- Cost-effective alternative to individual tumor marker testing
Who Is This Test For?
- Men over 50 seeking proactive cancer screening
- Individuals with family history of cancer
- Men with lifestyle risk factors (smoking, occupational exposures)
- Those establishing baseline health monitoring programs
- High-risk individuals requiring regular surveillance
- Men preferring private, direct-access health screening
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online and visit any Walk-In Lab location with photo ID
- Quick blood draw takes just minutes—no appointment needed
- Secure results delivered online within 3-4 business days
FAQ
What cancers does this panel screen for? This panel screens for prostate, liver, pancreatic, colorectal, and testicular cancers using five key tumor markers.
Do I need to fast before the test? No fasting is required. Avoid vigorous exercise 48 hours before testing.
What if my results are abnormal? Elevated markers require follow-up with your healthcare provider for additional evaluation and testing.
How accurate are these tumor markers? Accuracy varies by marker—PSA shows 93.6% specificity while CEA demonstrates 46.59% sensitivity for colorectal cancer.
Can this test definitively diagnose cancer? No, elevated markers require clinical correlation and additional testing for confirmation.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This comprehensive blood panel measures five key tumor markers to help detect early signs of cancer before symptoms appear. The test includes Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Cancer Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125), Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), and Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA). These biomarkers are proteins that can be elevated in the presence of certain cancers, enabling early intervention when treatment success rates are highest.
Who would benefit from this test?
Men over 50 benefit most from this screening, particularly those with family cancer history or genetic predisposition. The panel is especially valuable for African-American men, who experience two-fold higher mortality rates for prostate and other cancers (American Cancer Society 2025). Individuals with lifestyle risk factors including smoking, occupational carcinogen exposure, or chronic inflammatory conditions should also consider regular screening.
When should I order a Cancer Screening Panel, Men?
Optimal timing includes annual screening for men over 50, every 6 months for high-risk individuals, or baseline establishment before age 50 for those with significant family history. Consider testing if experiencing unexplained symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, changes in urination patterns, or bowel habits. The test is also valuable for monitoring following cancer treatment or establishing trends for future comparison.
How do I interpret the results?
Results should always be interpreted by healthcare providers who can assess findings in context of your individual risk factors and symptoms. Here are general reference ranges:
PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen):
- Normal Range: <4.0 ng/mL
- What Elevation May Indicate: Prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, inflammation
CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen):
- Normal Range: <5.0 ng/mL
- What Elevation May Indicate: Colorectal, lung, breast, pancreatic cancers
CA 19-9 (Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9):
- Normal Range: <37 U/mL
- What Elevation May Indicate: Pancreatic, bile duct, stomach cancers
CA-125 (Cancer Antigen 125):
- Normal Range: <35 U/mL
- What Elevation May Indicate: Ovarian, endometrial, lung, breast cancers
AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein):
- Normal Range: <10 ng/mL
- What Elevation May Indicate: Liver, testicular, ovarian cancers
Normal results don't rule out cancer entirely, as tumor marker sensitivity varies and some cancers don't elevate these specific markers.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required for this panel. Inform your healthcare provider about current medications, recent illnesses, or inflammatory conditions that might affect results. Avoid vigorous exercise 48 hours before testing, particularly activities that might affect prostate markers. Schedule testing consistently if using for monitoring purposes to establish reliable baseline trends.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your individual risk factors and previous results:
- Men over 50, average risk: Annually
- High-risk individuals (family history): Every 6 months
- Post-cancer treatment monitoring: As directed by oncologist (typically 3-6 months)
- Baseline establishment: Before age 50 for high-risk individuals
- Abnormal previous results: 3-6 months for trend analysis
Why early detection matters
Cancer mortality rates have declined significantly due to improved early detection, averting nearly 4.5 million deaths since 1991 (American Cancer Society 2025). Five-year survival rates reach 90% for localized cancer compared to only 13% for distantly metastatic disease. With an estimated 1,053,250 new cancer cases projected in men for 2025, proactive screening enables timely intervention when treatment is most effective.
Related tests you may consider
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential provides complementary information about overall health and can detect blood-related cancers that tumor markers might miss.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) evaluates liver and kidney function, which affects tumor marker metabolism and interpretation.
Male Hormone Low Testosterone Blood Test Panel is important for men over 50, as hormonal changes can influence cancer development and PSA interpretation.
