What cancer tests are included in a Bangkok screening package?
Cancer screening packages in Bangkok typically include a combination of blood tumour markers and imaging. Here is what each level covers:
- ▸AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) — liver cancer marker
- ▸CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) — colon, lung, breast marker
- ▸CA 125 — ovarian cancer marker (women)
- ▸CA 19-9 — pancreatic and bile duct cancer marker
- ▸PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) — prostate cancer marker (men 40+)
- ▸CA 15-3 — breast cancer monitoring marker
- ▸Basic panel (5–6 markers): ฿3,000 – ฿6,000
- ▸Full panel + imaging (low-dose CT or mammogram): ฿15,000 – ฿35,000
Imaging cancer screening options in Bangkok
Blood markers alone cannot diagnose cancer — imaging adds critical early detection capability for solid tumours:
- ▸Low-dose chest CT (LDCT) — best for lung cancer screening in smokers aged 50+
- ▸Mammogram + breast ultrasound — standard for women 40+, or 35+ with family history
- ▸Whole-body MRI — available at Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital for premium cancer screen
- ▸PET-CT — most sensitive but expensive (฿35,000–฿70,000); typically for monitoring, not first-screen
- ▸Colonoscopy — required for colorectal cancer detection; tumour markers are not sufficient alone
- ▸Pap smear + HPV test — cervical cancer; inexpensive and highly effective
Which Bangkok hospitals are best for cancer screening?
These hospitals have dedicated oncology and health screening departments with comprehensive cancer detection capabilities:
- ▸Bumrungrad International — full tumour panel + MRI/CT, highest volume international programme
- ▸Bangkok Hospital — BDMS Cancer Centre, PET-CT on site, research-grade diagnostics
- ▸Vejthani Hospital — competitive tumour marker pricing, JCI accredited
- ▸BNH Hospital — boutique experience, Silom location, strong women's cancer screening
- ▸Praram 9 Hospital — value pricing, full marker panel, good for budget-conscious
- ▸Samitivej Hospital — strong women's programme, HPV + mammogram included in women's packages
How much does cancer screening cost in Bangkok?
Cancer screening costs in Bangkok vary by package scope and hospital tier:
- ▸Basic tumour marker blood panel only: ฿3,000 – ฿6,000
- ▸Full marker panel (8–10 markers): ฿6,000 – ฿12,000
- ▸Marker panel + chest X-ray + ultrasound: ฿10,000 – ฿18,000
- ▸Cancer screening + low-dose CT: ฿18,000 – ฿35,000
- ▸Full executive with MRI and full cancer screen: ฿35,000 – ฿65,000
- ▸PET-CT scan only (monitoring): ฿35,000 – ฿70,000
Who should get cancer screening in Bangkok?
Cancer screening recommendations by risk group:
- ▸Age 40+: annual PSA (men), mammogram and Pap smear (women), basic tumour panel
- ▸Age 50+: add low-dose chest CT (especially smokers or former smokers)
- ▸Family history of cancer: start 10 years before the youngest diagnosed relative's age
- ▸Smokers: low-dose CT annually from age 50
- ▸High-risk occupations: consider annual full marker panel regardless of age
- ▸All adults: Hepatitis B and C screening (liver cancer risk factors)