Abstract
Screening for breast and ovarian cancers are required due to the late stage at diagnosis and poor survival. Serum CA125 and CA15-3 are important cancer-detecting agents in patients with ovarian and breast cancers, respectively. Elevation of CA125 and CA15-3 level correlates with malignant and non-malignant conditions. Moreover, a series of individual characteristics affect the serum level of these markers. The objective of the present study was to evaluate CA125 and CA15-3 levels in cancer-free postmenopausal women to investigate the impacts of patient parameters on the serum level of these markers. 203 subjects were studied prospectively. Serum CA125 and CA15-3 assessment was done subsequent to the direct interview. The associations between marker levels and presenting features were examined. CA125 and CA15-3 levels were elevated in 35 (17.2%) and 12 (5.9%) of persons, respectively. A higher CA125 level was associated with advanced age (p=0.046), while a lower level was correlated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and having smoking habits (p=0.000 andp=0.01, respectively). CA15-3 level was remarkably lower amongst oral contraceptive (OCP) users (p=0.03). Serum marker levels were not significantly related to menarche age, age at menopause, height, weight, BMI and parity. Serum CA125 is imperative indicator for malignancies of the ovary; however, personal and medical factors influence its serum level. A fair interpretation of results must be due to an accurate attention to the individual characteristics.
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Dehaghani, A.S., Ghiam, A.F., Hosseini, M. et al. Factors influencing serum concentration of CA125 and CA15-3 in Iranian healthy postmenopausal women. Pathol. Oncol. Res. 13, 360–364 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02940317
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02940317