Cancer is fatalic. Every day hundreds of people lost their lives from cancer. Only early intervention and treatment can ensure the lifespan of the individuals. Cancer detection comprises of screenings and self-checks. Moreover, any abnormalities like skin dimpling and lumps need doctor consultation immediately.
Numerous other processes are there to diagnose the cancer in the initial stages as well. This blog post will let you know if blood test is enough to detect any kind of cancer. So, don’t stop reading.
Can routine blood test detect cancer?
GP uses blood test for detecting cancer however none can deliver accurate result. It acts as basic test for cancer. The doctors have to refer subsequent tests for diagnosing the results. They need the test to identify each symptoms referring to same conditions. Clinical trials will validate if numerous cancer types detect from withdrawing single blood.
Blood test types for diagnosing cancer
Firstly, doctor will carry out CBC to check the measurement of platelets, WBCs and RBCs in the sample. Both below and above usual range signifies the problem. However, doctor will use biomarkers for indicating cancer activity easily.
They will check for the chemicals that affect functions of various organs like:
- Heart
- Lungs
- Kidneys
- liver
high level of protein in the blood helps in diagnosing the severity of disease, its growth rate and tumour size.
Is blood test result conclusive?
Definitely blood test report is not conclusive because sometimes it can provide false positive or negative result. That’s why doctor advises additional tests like biopsies and imaging for backing up the blood test reports.
Other tests doctor may recommend
Apart from blood test, doctor offers other tests for diagnosing cancer like:
- Physical examinations
- Endoscopic examinations
- Surgery
- Laboratory tests
- Tumour biopsies
- Imaging
Imaging techniques come into use for evaluation of the intensity of disease, abnormalities and tumours. This surely makes the treatment far more efficient.
Imaging techniques comprise of:
- MRI scans
- Ultrasounds
- Mammograms
- CT scans
- X-rays
Biopsies of tumour involve removal of cells and tissues for analyse under microscope. Biopsy is helpful in determining if the tumour is malignant or benign.
Basic biopsies comprise of skin biopsy, endoscopic biopsy and bone marrow biopsy. Most labs make use of chemical processes for finding out the chemical substances level in body fluids and tissues like urine and blood samples. Doctor will check for:
- Proteins
- Hormones
- Fats
- Enzymes
- Blood glucose
- electrolytes
Can you test for cancer at home?
You cannot carry out any sort of blood test at home to detect cancer in the body. Both extraction and analyse need lab and clinical facilities. Yet, there are some at-home testing options you can use for screening cancer.
Such a cancer is colon cancer. You will receive test kit from the doctor for collecting stool sample. Then you need to send it to the lab for detailed analysis. They will return back to you in case the reports are abnormal. In such instance, you need to consult with the doctor for further testing.
No test is there which can diagnose cancer from the comfort of your home accurately. Self-assessment is only helpful to some extent to notice the abnormalities and changes in various parts of the body. If you notice any changes get in touch with the doctor as early as possible.
Breast self-exam
Daily breast assessment by you can incorporate to diagnose breast cancer in the initial stage. This is how you can evaluate the breast exam.
- Notice the breasts through mirror by placing hands on hips and maintaining the straightness of the shoulder.
- Observe that they are in normal size, colour and shape with no indications of puckering, bulging or dimpling on skin. Ensure that there is no change in the position of the nipple. Moreover, check for rash, swelling, skin discolouration and soreness.
- Now raise your arms to notice the changes
- Check if there is fluid out from nipples
- After lying down feel the breast in circular motion from side to another and bottom to top. Observe it fully starting from armpit to centre and from abdomen to collarbone
- Repeat the process again by remain standing
Testicular self-exam
Testes self-exam assists in detecting testicular cancer in the initial stage. You must perform the self exam every month for comparing the results. Usually, 4 steps are there for performing the testicular self-exam.
- Roll the testicle with a hand for examining gently
- Try to find out the epididymis, it is the soft structure behind testicle. Once you come to know it you will not mistake it as unusual mass
- Check for the irregularities and lumps
- Check for texture, size and shape change
Skin self-exam
Self-checks help in proper diagnosing of skin cancer. During self-check you need to assess each skin parts including armpits and feet bottom. You can make use of mirror if there is any difficulty.
At the time of self-exam, you must check:
- A mole is the colour mix, odd shape and irregular borders
- New mole with changing in colour, size and shape
- Wart growth
- Rough or scaly discoloured patch
- Expanding, changing or new bump, growth and spots
- Sore which doesn’t heal even after couple of weeks
Necessary questions to ask the doctor
In case you notice any abnormalities at the time of self-assessment you should consult with the doctor.
Here are some questions you can find helpful in asking a doctor:
- What comprises next step?
- What tests are essential?
- Is any additional tests necessary for determining if they are cancerous?
- Is the mole, bump or lump abnormal?
In case the blood test finds you as positive then you can ask the following questions:
- Is any chance there to become false positive?
- Which tests are necessary afterwards?
- Is there a single or multiple tests?
- Which point will remark it as cancerous?
- If found false positive, does additional monitoring require?Top of Form
In case you find something strange or abnormal with your body, opt for same day GP appointment to undergo the test and seek right treatment on time.
