What are tumor markers for cervical cancer?
Regardless of what kind of cancer you're talking about, tumor markers are proteins or other substances produced by the body in response to the cancer. The presence of a tumor marker indicates the possible presence of cancer. That's what a pap smear will detect. Cervical cancer is a serious disease, and testing for it with a pap smear can help detect it long before any symptoms are present. That's possible because of the existence of these markers. Women shouldn't ignore a doctor's advice to be tested for cancer. There's nothing to fear -- and years of life can be gained. It's a no-brainer.
