Do blood tests detect cancer?

Cancer blood tests: Lab tests used in cancer diagnosis Cancer blood tests and other laboratory tests may help your doctor make a cancer diagnosis. Reduce your anxiety by learning about cancer blood tests and how they're used. read more

By reviewing these DNA fragments for mutations found in 58"cancer-driver" genes, the blood test detects many early stage cancers without rendering false positives for healthy people, said Velculescu, co-director of cancer biology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, in Baltimore. read more

The test also measures hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) and hematocrit (the ratio of red blood cells to plasma). A CBC can be used to detect a variety of conditions, including leukemia, anemia and infection. read more

By reviewing these DNA fragments for mutations found in 58 "cancer-driver" genes, the blood test detects many early stage cancers without rendering false positives for healthy people, said Velculescu, co-director of cancer biology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, in Baltimore. read more

This test can uncover anemia, infection, and even cancer of the blood. Another common blood test is the basic metabolic panel to check your heart, kidney, and liver function by looking at your blood glucose, calcium, and electrolyte levels. read more