National Path Lab

Cancer Risk

Cancer risk refers to the combination of factors — inherited, lifestyle, and environmental — that influence an individual's likelihood of developing cancer over their lifetime. Cancer risk varies significantly by cancer type, and no single test can assess overall cancer risk across the body.

Some cancer risk is hereditary and can be identified through genetic testing before any disease develops. Other risk relates to modifiable lifestyle factors and exposures. Age-appropriate screening, combined with awareness of warning signs, remains central to early detection — and cancers detected earlier generally have meaningfully better outcomes.

At National Path Lab (NPL), a range of cancer risk assessment tools is available, including hereditary cancer testing and selected biomarker and screening tests.

Tests Available at NPL

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT

Turn Around Time
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY

Rs. 500

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PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN; PSA TOTAL

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SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY

Rs. 1400

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HPV (HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS) 23 GENOTYPE IDENTIFICATION ADVANCED PCR

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SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM, REPORT AFTER 7 DAYS

Rs. 6000

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AFP (ALPHA FETOPROTEIN): AMNIOTIC FLUID

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SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM, REPORT AFTER 7 DAYS

Rs. 2000

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CA 125; OVARIAN CANCER MARKER

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SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY

Rs. 1800

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CA 19.9; PANCREATIC CANCER MARKER

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SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY

Rs. 2500

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CA 19.9; PANCREATIC CANCER MARKER BODY FLUID

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SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM, REPORT ON SAME DAY

Rs. 2200

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FIT (FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TEST) - QUANTITATIVE, STOOL

Turn Around Time
SAMPLE DAILY BY 8:00 PM, REPORT AFTER 7 DAYS

Rs. 9500

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FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TEST (FIT), Qualitative

Turn Around Time

Rs. 1600

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IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY, CEA

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SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM, REPORT AFTER 7 DAYS

Rs. 3800

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About Cancer Risk

Who Is at Risk?

Cancer risk factors span both fixed and modifiable categories:

Non-Modifiable Factors

Modifiable Factors

  • Age — risk increases for most cancers with advancing age

  • Smoking and tobacco use

  • Sex — certain cancers are specific to or more common in one sex

  • Alcohol consumption

  • Family history and hereditary cancer syndromes

  • Diet, particularly low in fruits/vegetables and high in processed foods

  • Known genetic predisposition (such as BRCA1/2 or Lynch syndrome)

  • Excessive sun/UV exposure

  • Certain infections (HPV, hepatitis B/C, H. pylori)

  • Occupational or environmental exposures

Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Persistent, unexplained pain

  • A new or changing lump or swelling

  • Changes in bowel or bladder habits

  • Unusual bleeding, from any site

  • A persistent cough or hoarseness

  • A sore that does not heal

  • Changes in the appearance of a skin mole

Test

Clinical Relevance

Hereditary Cancer Risk Panel

Identifies inherited genetic predisposition to breast, ovarian, colorectal, and other cancers.

HPV Testing & Cervical Cytology

Central to cervical cancer screening in women.

Tumor Biomarkers (PSA, CA-125, CEA, AFP, CA 19-9)

Used in specific clinical contexts for monitoring or risk assessment — not as general-population cancer screening tools (see note below).

Fecal Immunochemical Test

Relevant to colorectal cancer screening.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

May reveal abnormalities warranting further evaluation as part of a general health check.

Related Packages

GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER PANEL

Test Includes
3 Tests

Rs. 35000

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CANCER TARGETED GENE PANEL, CNS TUMOR

Test Includes
2 Tests

Rs. 55000

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CANCER SCREENING PACKAGE (MALE)

Test Includes
8 Tests

Rs. 5000

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CANCER SCREENING PACKAGE (FEMALE)

Test Includes
8 Tests

Rs. 5500

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MULTIPLE MYELOMA SCREENING PANEL

Test Includes
7 Tests

Rs. 16000

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Frequently Asked Questions

Generally no. Most tumor biomarkers (such as CA-125, CEA, or CA 19-9) are used for monitoring known cancer or evaluating specific symptoms — not as stand-alone screening tests in the general population, since they can be elevated for many non-cancer reasons or normal even with cancer present. Discuss with your doctor which tests are appropriate for your situation.
Hereditary cancer testing looks for inherited genetic variants that increase lifetime risk, performed once and relevant to future risk and family planning. Biomarker testing looks at current blood levels of substances that may reflect active disease, typically used for monitoring rather than screening.
No. Risk factors increase likelihood but do not guarantee disease — many people with risk factors never develop cancer, while some without obvious risk factors do. Risk assessment guides screening decisions, not certainty.
This is an individual decision best discussed with your doctor, generally starting around age 50 (or earlier with risk factors), weighing the benefits and limitations of screening.
Yes, substantially for many cancer types — through avoiding tobacco, moderating alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, vaccination (HPV, hepatitis B), and attending recommended screening.