Blood Drug Testing

Is there a general blood test to look for cancers?

I am 35 and have a very high family history of cancer in my Mothers family. I was wondering if there is a yearly blood test that can be taken to test for cancer agents in your body.

Public Comments

1. No - they can check your white blood count to see if it's normal, but if it's not it could be an infection or a cold or the flu or anything. Plus they checked mine when I was being looked at and mine were fine, but I'd had cancer for about 2 years by then they think. If you have thyroid cancer and they take your thyroid out, there are some markers they can follow to see if it's coming back or not. There really are no blood tests for cancer. Sorry
2. CHECK FOR THE BLOOD PICTURE GENERALLY CANCER ALTERS YOUR BLOOD PICTURE. IT GIVES A COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF BLOOD CELL CONCENTRATION. IF IT IS NORMAL THEN GENERALLY YOU ARE FREE OF ANY CANCER.
3. It depends on what type of cancer you are looking for. You can have a CA-125 test done, which is a blood test. It is not 100% accurate, but can be an indicator if there is something going on with you or not. Have you looked into genetic testing? If you have a family history of cancer, I highly suggest seeing a genetic counselor. They will outline all of your options based on your family history. Good luck.
4. Yes, you can ask your MD for a CEA level- also it depends on what type of cancer your mother's family has had. Then the MD will be able to do the right lab test based on your family's history
5. they can do a test called ca-125 it's a test that looks for markers /bio-markers it's a blood test