Special series of antigens, which are produced at some level by normal tissues. In benign or malignant neoplasms, young cells produce the antigens at increased levels due to their higher metabolism.

The tests are used as confirmation of imaging methods, or in the observation of diseases.

These are :

1. Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) for breast
2. Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 15-3) for ovaries
3. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for breast and ovary

In cases of serious suspicion of the disease, extra tests are recommended:

1. Tissue Polypeptide Antigen (TPA)
2. Specific antigen polypeptide (TPS)
3. Mucomimetic Carcinoma Antigen (MCA)

Suitable prevention check-ups for breast - ovaries are:

1. Detection of mutations in BRCA 1, BRCA2, BALB2 (c.1100delC mutation)*
2. CANCER PLUS 94-gene check-up for the detection of carcinogenic genes throughout the organism

* GENETIC DATA – INFORMATION – MANAGEMENT

1. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes repair damaged regions of DNA (tumor suppressors) to prevent tissue mutations and carcinogenesis.
2. Abnormal forms of BRCA1 and BRCA2 occur in approximately 10% of breast cancers.
3. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene present an overall risk of developing the disease at the level of 80% until 90 years old.
4. Mutations in BRCA1 have also been associated with ovarian cancer with an estimated risk of 55%.
5. BRCA2 also participates in its abnormal forms in tumorigenesis, with ovarian cancer's risk as high as 25%.
6. Mutations in the BRCA genes have been associated in men with breast and prostate cancer
7. Mutations in the BRCA genes have also been associated with pancreatic carcinomas, leukemia and lymphomas.

High-risk individuals (carriers of a pathogenic mutation - mutations) are recommended, depending on the results, to undergo genetic counseling and a strict clinical surveillance program with:

1. Clinical breast examination, every six months, from the age of 25, or annual mammography and/or MRI from the age of 25
2. The possible choice to undergo preventive mastectomy taking into account the age of possible diagnosis of breast cancer in the examinee herself or her family medical history
3. The possible choice of salpingo-oophorectomy in women who have already given birth