Breast Health Blood Tests: CA 15-3, CA 27.29 & CEA Markers
Blood-based markers associated with breast health, measured as numbers you can track over time with your clinician.
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At a glance
Breast health blood tests measure tumor markers such as CA 15-3, CA 27.29, and CEA, proteins that can run elevated when breast tissue is affected, along with supporting labs like a complete blood count. They are designed for women who want objective, lab-based numbers to establish a baseline, track over time, and review with their doctor. These blood tests complement, and never replace, mammograms and clinical breast exams.
Best suited for
- Women who want a lab-based baseline of breast-associated markers to track over time with their clinician
- People whose doctor is already following CA 15-3, CA 27.29, or CEA trends and who want convenient repeat testing
- Those with a personal or family history of breast concerns preparing an informed conversation with their physician
- Health-conscious adults who keep up with routine mammograms and want additional numbers to bring to annual visits
What's included
CA 15-3 Test
Measures cancer antigen 15-3, a marker associated with breast tissue activity
CA 27.29 Test
Measures cancer antigen 27.29, a closely related breast-associated marker
CEA Test
Carcinoembryonic antigen, a broader tumor marker reviewed alongside breast markers
Complete Blood Count with Differential and Platelets (CBC)
General blood health context: red cells, white cells, and platelets
The importance of testing
CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 measure closely related proteins shed by breast cells, and both are markers associated with breast cancer monitoring in clinical practice. CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) is a broader tumor marker that clinicians sometimes review alongside them. None of these markers is specific to one condition, levels can shift with benign breast changes, inflammation, and other noncancerous factors, which is why they are read as part of a bigger picture rather than in isolation.
Where blood markers earn their place is in trends. A single value means little on its own, but a baseline measured when you are well gives you and your doctor a personal reference point, and repeat measurements show whether a marker is stable, drifting, or changing quickly. That trajectory, not any one number, is what clinicians typically weigh alongside imaging, exams, and your history.
A complete blood count adds general context, tracking red cells, white cells, and platelets that reflect overall blood health. If any result comes back flagged or borderline, view it as a conversation starter: bring the report to your physician, who can interpret it against your risk factors and decide whether imaging or follow-up testing makes sense.
One important boundary: blood tests are not a screening substitute. Guidelines-based breast cancer screening relies on mammography and clinical evaluation, so keep routine imaging on schedule and use lab work as an additional data layer to discuss with your doctor.
Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.
Order NowFrequently asked questions
What do breast health blood tests measure?
Breast health blood tests measure tumor markers such as CA 15-3, CA 27.29, and CEA, proteins that can be elevated when breast tissue is affected, often alongside a complete blood count for general context. Because these markers can also shift with benign conditions, results are best read as trends over time and interpreted by your doctor together with imaging and your health history.
Can a blood test detect or confirm breast cancer?
No, these tests are not intended to confirm any condition, and no blood marker on this panel is specific enough to detect breast cancer on its own. CA 15-3, CA 27.29, and CEA are markers associated with breast cancer monitoring, and elevated levels can also occur with noncancerous changes. Confirmation requires imaging, clinical evaluation, and a licensed physician; use these results as structured data to review with your doctor.
Do these blood tests replace a mammogram?
No, blood markers are a complement to imaging, not a substitute for it. Guidelines-based breast cancer screening relies on mammography and clinical breast exams, so keep your routine screening schedule and view lab results as an additional layer of information for your doctor to weigh.
Can I order breast health lab tests without a doctor's visit?
Yes, the partner lab platform lets you order tests online without scheduling a physician visit first: you choose your tests, check out, and have blood drawn at a local patient service center. Results are delivered to you directly and are for informational use, share them with your own doctor for interpretation and any follow-up.
Is this testing available in every US state?
No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. In most other US states you can order online and use a nearby draw location.
How often should breast-associated markers be retested?
There is no one-size-fits-all schedule, the right interval depends on why you are testing, and your doctor is the best person to set it. Many people establish a single baseline and then retest only when their clinician recommends it, since the value of markers like CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 comes from how they trend over time under medical guidance.
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