What tests are done to check for cancer?

What types of tests are used to detect cancer?

Abnormal levels of lymphocytes/monocytes in your blood, low pH coupled with high protein in the urine, changes in skin colour, lumps that refuse to heal, and several other parameters may indicate cancer. Medical practitioners use various diagnostic tests to detect carcinoma. These are:

1. Blood Tests

This includes:

• CBC or complete blood count to measure red/white cells, platelets

• Urea and electrolytes test to measure kidney function

• Liver function test

• Tumour markers/circulating tumour cell test

• Blood protein test

2. Imaging tests

These tests can help physician identify tumours. These are:

• CT scans, which give a 3D image of your internal organs.

• PET-CT scans which are more detailed imaging tests that can also indicate the stage of cancer.

• MRI, which uses radio waves to take images that are put together to create a complete picture of a portion of your body

• Simple X-rays may also be used with or without contrasting dyes to locate tumours in the stomach, bone structure or kidneys.

Specific cancers may be detected with special tests such as mammography for breast cancer.

3. Nuclear scans

Radioactive materials are used in these scans to get the imaging done and there are different kinds of nuclear scans available. To measure radioactivity in the body, you may be given an injection of radioactive tracer material, and subsequently, a scan may be done. There are also bone scans that use the same principle to identify bone cancers.

Now that you know what tests are done to check for cancer, let us also learn why screening and early detection are important.

Importance of timely testing and early detection

Diagnosing cancer early via screening is the best thing that can happen for these reasons:

• It gives you a better chance of full recovery

• Reduces the chance of needing invasive treatment

• The overall cost of treatment comes down

• Chances of long-term hospitalisation are lower