Hello! Can cancer be detected by a single routine blood test? Or does the doctor have to mention it?

Hello,

Depending on the type of cancer in question, it will not be indicated on a blood test request that it is "cancer" that we are looking for. Rather, we will be looking to determine if certain biological parameters or specific markers are out of the ordinary and could be characteristic of a certain type of cancer. That said, even if a parameter or marker is out of the ordinary, it does not mean that it is automatically cancer. In addition, the type of marker(s) to be monitored will vary depending on the type of cancer; the parameters monitored for prostate cancer will not be the same as those for colon or lung cancer. Instead, the blood test will lead to further investigation if necessary and the use of other screening methods to determine whether or not cancer is present. Imaging, biopsy or other methods will be used depending on the type of cancer involved.

I refer you to the following site of the Canadian Cancer Society to give you an idea of the different types of tests that exist to detect cancer.

I hope this answers your question. If you have any other concerns or questions, please let me know and I will be happy to help you.

Sincerely,

David Tan, pharmacist