Blue Horizon Medicals Cancer screening

CA 15-3 (Cancer Marker)

A blood test for CA 15-3, a protein sometimes raised in breast and other cancers, most often used to help track how a known cancer is responding to treatment.

  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Blood
Collection
Venous draw at clinic or nurse home visit
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
1
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • CA 153

Test specifications

Provider
Blue Horizon Medicals
Sample type
blood
Collection method
venous draw at clinic or nurse home visit
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
1
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Blue Horizon Medicals.

  • CA 153

About this test

CA 15-3 is a protein produced by cells in response to a range of changes in the body, and elevated levels can occur with breast cancer as well as cancers of the pancreas, liver, lung or ovary, and with some non-cancerous conditions too. As the provider notes, it is not used to diagnose cancer because too many things can raise it; instead it is more commonly used to help specialists see whether a known tumour is stable, growing, shrinking or has returned, or to flag unexpectedly high results for further investigation.

As a single-marker test it sits toward the lower end of the cancer screening tests we track for depth. It is priced below the median for similarly sized cancer screening tests we track, though collection convenience is limited, since it needs a venous draw at a clinic or nurse visit rather than an at-home kit, with results back in around 5 days. The listing is detailed, with a thorough description, the biomarker, sample type, turnaround and collection options all clearly stated.

Blue Horizon Medicals has traded since 2009, works with UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs, and holds a Trustpilot score of 4.2 from 395 reviews. Your result is reviewed by a doctor before release.

Who is it for?

This is more relevant if you or your specialist are already monitoring a known cancer and want a marker to track alongside other investigations, rather than as a general screening check if you have no symptoms or diagnosis. Because so many things can raise CA 15-3, an unexpected result on its own is not something to interpret without a GP or specialist, who can weigh it against your wider history. We do not have peer tests logged in this comparison group, so we cannot compare it directly with other providers' CA 15-3 tests.

How it works

A healthcare professional takes a venous blood sample at a clinic or during a home nurse visit; there is no at-home collection option for this test. The lab measures your CA 15-3 level, and a doctor reviews the result before it is released to you, typically within around 5 days.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Below the median price for similarly sized cancer screening tests we track.
  • Home nurse visit available if a clinic visit is not convenient.
  • Detailed listing explaining what the marker does and does not indicate.
  • Includes a doctor's review of the result.

Cons

  • No at-home collection option, only a venous draw.
  • Not used to diagnose cancer, and several non-cancerous conditions can raise the result.
  • Single marker, so it needs interpreting alongside other investigations.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score CA 15-3 marker test, not a stand-alone cancer check
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

Breast and other cancers can raise CA 15-3, the protein this test measures, though it is used to help track a known cancer's response to treatment rather than to detect one. At £64.25 it is priced below the median for similarly sized cancer screening tests we track, but needs a venous draw at a clinic or nurse visit, with doctor-reviewed results in around 5 days.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 6.4/10

    1 biomarkers, placing it in the 32nd percentile of cancer screening tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 9.0/10

    A blood sample taken at home by a visiting nurse or phlebotomist; with a venous or clinic option as well; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 5 days, in line with or faster than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 7.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 395 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); trading 17+ years.

  • Value for money 7.4/10

    £64.25 against a median of £79.00 for the 19 similarly sized cancer screening tests we track (-19%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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