Do Routine Blood Tests Detect Cancer?

Routine blood work can detect early signs of cancers, particularly blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Routine blood tests are recommended for healthy individuals. They can also give insight into organ function, diet, metabolism, and even detect signs of cancer. Four types of blood tests detect cancer, as explained in this article.  

Purpose of Routine Blood Work 

Routine blood work refers to blood tests ordered by your doctor as part of your yearly physical. They are used to screen for a range of health conditions, helping you make informed diet, lifestyle, and fitness choices. Routine blood work can also detect illness before symptoms arise. A routine complete blood count test (CBC) is also commonly referred to as routine blood work. 

Factors That Influence Recommended Blood Tests

Not everyone is recommended the same blood tests. Your family history, age, sex, personal risk factors, and current health status influence the frequency and type of blood tests a doctor might recommend. Your doctor will use this information to help figure out what tests will benefit your health.

Which Blood Tests Detect Cancer?

Blood work that tests for cancer falls into four general categories:

1. Complete blood count (CBC): helps diagnose leukemia and lymphoma or if cancer has spread to the bone marrow.
2. Blood protein testing / Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP): helps detect abnormal proteins found in myeloma and monitors how well treatment is working.
3. Tumor marker tests: helps detect signs of liver, thyroid, ovarian, breast, colorectal, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and testicular cancer.
4. Circulating tumor cell tests: helps monitor breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers in case they are spreading, but the technology is still in development.

Information Gained from Blood Tests for Cancer

Blood testing is one of the many tools that doctors use to diagnose and manage cancer. Blood tests provide information about:

• Overall health status
• Organ function
• Stage of cancer
• Abnormal levels of chemicals and proteins in your blood that may indicate cancer
• High or low blood cell count (possibly due to cancer)
• Treatment options depending on the type and severity of cancer
• If cancer has come back
• Whether treatment is working or the disease is further developing

Although blood tests are useful in cancer diagnosis, other tests are necessary to confirm a diagnosis. Other tests to diagnose cancer include biopsies, x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, physical exams, mammograms, and pap smears.