Blood Drug Testing

What kind of blood tests should I request to see if I have cancer?

Public Comments

1. It depends on what type of cancer you were diagnosed with. For example, when a patient is diagnosed with breast cancer, we commonly order a Ca.27.29. We never use this type of tumor marker as a definitive diagnostic, but we certainly like to watch what happens to it. The National Cancer Institute has some good information on tumor markers for different cancers. Hope that this helps. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/tumor-markers
2. You should talk to a doctor and express your concerns and symptoms. They will be more likely to help narrow down the choices of blood tests.
3. Talk with your doctor but usually a CBC (complete blood count) is ordered. A sample of your blood is taken and the number of plattlets, white and red blood cells, and the strengh of your immune system is observed. If you have cancer than your counts will not be within the normal range.
4. You can not always tale by a blood test.