ABSTRACT
Purpose The aim of this study is to define molecular sub-healthy status among individuals attending routine physical examination.Methods This study examined 8 blood tumor markers among 5 825 healthy individuals.Results (1) Differences in levels of tumor markers were observed between males and females.(2) Elevated CA72-4 levels were seen in 16.05％ of individuals in both sexes.(3) More males had elevated levels of CEA and CYFRA21-1.Among the individuals with elevated levels of tumor markers,most were clustered in the prime age group of 41 to 50 years.Conclusion This is the first large-sample survey in healthy Han population in Xinjiang,which found elevated levels of all 8 markers tested with varying rates.Accordingly,this study proposes for the first time a concept of molecular sub-healthy status and a strategy of early tumor screening at molecular level.The molecular sub-healthy status may be an early warning sign for potential cancers,which should draw attention by preventive public health policies.