Type I collagen synthesis (PINP, PICP) and degradation (ICTP) markers were analysed from preoperative serum samples of 138 women with breast cancer (BC), 94 women with benign breast disease (BBD) and 100 healthy controls to evaluate the levels of these markers and the stage of BC at the time of diagnosis. We also compared the clinical utility of these markers in detecting BC with CA15-3 and CEA. The mean value of ICTP was statistically significantly elevated in the BC group (p < 0.001), as compared with the control group, but the elevated values in BC group were due to stage IV disease. The sensitivity of ICTP in detecting BC was 0.23, which was equal with CA15-3(0.24) or CEA(0.23). The sensitivity of both PICP and PINP for diagnosing BC was poor, but a tendency to higher serum levels of PINP and low PICP/PINP ratio was detected in patients with advanced stage IV disease. These results indicate that high preoperative serum levels of ICTP are associated with advanced BC, but like CA15-3 and CEA, its clinical value in diagnosing purpose is poor.