Blood Drug Testing

Do pathologists automatically screen blood tests for cancer or only if asked to by the patient's doctor?

For example, I had a blood test to see if I had an iron deficiency. Would the sample also be tested for cancer?

Public Comments

1. Not automatically. Testing is expensive and unless you felt you were having other problems that might warrant further investigation, they will test for iron only.
2. no not unless requested by the doctor.
3. No, You have to specifically ask for the cancer scan to be done.
4. no but if u want to test it for cancer , ask for a c.a.125 blood test
5. No, those are entirely different screening tests. The components that stand out for iron content are not the same for cancer, AIDS, cholesterol, etc.
6. No, your specimen is tested for whatever your provider ordered. If you are concerned or would like extra tests done, call your provider ASAP to add onto the bloodwork you've already had drawn. In either case, communicating with your provider is best. No worries!