The types of breast cancer biomarkers in cancer detection provide a unique view of what is occurring in the bloodstream and can help improve breast cancer detection.

1. Breast Cancer
Biomarkers
L earn h ere h o w p ro t ei n s can h el p
i m p ro v e b reas t can cer d et ect i o n

2. There are several types of
biomarkers
By analyzing biomarkers, diagnostic tests can provide information
about tumor development to detect breast cancer at an early, more
treatable stage.
Biomarkers can be helpful in managing patients in the following
settings…

3. Risk Assessment
Identify factors to assess disease
susceptibility
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4. vThese biomarkers are frequently associated with a
predisposition to cancer.
vThey can inform a woman's future risk of developing breast
cancer.
vHealthcare providers often recommend that individuals with
these gene mutations consider more frequent screenings in an
attempt to detect breast cancer at an early stage.
Risk Assessment

5. Screening
Indicate the presence of disease
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6. vBiomarkers for screening and detection are real-time indicators of
the presence of cancer.
vThe body may respond to the presence of a tumor by creating and
releasing immune factors (such as antibodies) or by shedding
serum proteins, circulating tumor cells and DNA fragments into the
bloodstream.
Screening

7. Diagnosis
Definitive diagnosis and general typing
3

8. vWhile the only way to confirm a breast cancer diagnosis is by
biopsy, biomarkers can aid in diagnosis and help determine the
primary origin of the tumor.
Diagnosis

9. Prognosis
Asses disease aggressiveness and
likelihood of recurrence
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10. vPrognostic biomarkers may provide information about a patients
expected outcome.
vSome breast cancers are more aggressive than others and
biomarkers can help determine which cancers may grow rapidly
and/or metastasize.
Prognosis

11. Prediction
Predict efficacy to different treatments
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12. vBiomarkers may be used to predict a patient's response to
treatment.
v Or to determine the optimal drug dose or type used for breast
cancer treatment.
vSince breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, different cancers
can respond differently to the same treatment methods.
Prediction

13. Monitoring
Monitor disease recurrence and
therapeutic response
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14. vBiomarkers may be used to predict and monitor a patient's breast
cancer recurrence of the disease after treatment.
Monitoring

15. By using different types of biomarkers in breast cancer
detection, another biological view of current disease state
is available in addition to the anatomical view of breast
imaging.

16. What else are biomarkers doing for
breast cancer detection?
To learn more about the role different types of biomarkers play in
cancer detection, read our guide below:
Click here to learn more!