can cancer be detected from just a blood test?

Question

i'd be very interested in any serious answers. thank you.

Answer 1

as a surviver of colon cancer i can tell you definatly yes
they have several tests depending on what cancers they are looking for
my cea test was over 500 when my cancer was actave its down below 50 normal is 50 to 100

diffrent cancers leave diffrent "markers"in the blood
if youve had a certen type of cancer before they look for that marker

Answer 2

No, it cannot be confirmed from blood tests alone, although certain tests can exhibit signs of cancer.
For example, leukemia will usually affect your white blood cell count as will a number of other malignancies, but further tests have to be done to determine the extent of the cancer as well as exactly what type of cancer it is
Also, wide-spread cancer can affect the results of certain blood tests but those tests are generally useless since by the time the cancer is advanced enough to affect the tests it would have been found already anyway.

Answer 3

There is a cancer screening test called a CEA but is very expensive. Doctors sometimes notice unusual white blood cells or red blood cells and then do more investigation in order to find if a cancer is present or not. A diagnosis of cancer is usually not made just on a blood test - it is a combination of tests, x-rays, physical assessment and symptoms to come to that conclusion.

Answer 4

Some cancers can be detected by blood tests, particularly blood cancers like leukemia. Sometimes tumor markers can be detected to, but these are not any where near 100% reliable. Part of the problem cancer is not one disease, but many different diseases. Even cancers of the same organ, for example lung cancer, can come in many different varieties. Any given type of cancer can have dramatically different behavior person to person that is not 100% predictable.

Answer 5

Blood and marrow cancers can be, but they still do further testing to be positive.

I was orginally diagnosed aml simply by my blood counts at the docs office. Doc sent me to hosp for further testing to be positive, hosp did a blood smear blood and blood count and new for sure. They then did a bone marrow biopsy for official diagnosis and cytogenics.

But my aunt who had colon cancer had several blood work ups that showed nothing before she was finally dignosed correctly.

So, it depends on the type of cancer and what it effects. I would not rely on a blood test only for screening or diagnosis

Answer 6

Not usually. The results of a blood test can make a Dr. suspect that a cancerous problem is suspected. (e.g. in leukemia a high white blood cell counts makes a Dr. look in that area)

Answer 7

They can detect symptoms... like changes in enzyme levels and red and white blood cell counts.

Answer 8

HHHHHEEEELLL YEEAAHH!!

Thats how i found out i had it.