Can cancer be detected through a blood test?

A blood test for cancer involves testing samples in a special lab to look for signs of cancer. Actual cancer cells can be seen in samples when viewed under a microscope. Other blood tests can look for proteins or other substances made by cancer. Blood tests can also tell your provider how well your organs are working.

It is very important to get a blood test done at the beginning of cancer treatment

Blood cell count (CBC) test is done to check whether the platelet count is normal or not. It measures the amount of each type of blood cell in your blood sample. Blood cancer can be detected through this test.

The test checks the amount of protein in your blood. An electrophoresis blood test looks at different proteins in your blood to detect proteins made by your body’s germ-fighting immune system. This test is helpful in diagnosing multiple myeloma.

Tests to detect cancer cells

Tests to find chemicals made by cancer cells. Tumor marker tests use a blood sample to look for chemicals made by cancer cells. These tests don’t always help diagnose cancer because many healthy cells also make these chemicals. And some conditions that aren’t cancer can cause high levels of tumor markers. Instead, tumor marker tests are mostly used after your cancer diagnosis to see if treatment is working.

Examples of tumor markers include prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) for ovarian cancer. Other examples include carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for colon cancer and alpha-fetoprotein for testicular cancer.

Tests to check for cancer cells. Circulating tumor cell tests find cancer cells in your blood. If the cells have broken away from where they started and are spreading to other parts of the body, they may be in the blood. Circulating tumor cell tests are most often used after a cancer diagnosis. Not everyone with cancer needs a circulating tumor cell test. These tests are sometimes used for certain types of cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. Researchers are looking at how these tests might help people with other types of cancer.

Disclaimer: Some of the information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, please consult the concerned expert.

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