Even if you don’t notice early signs of cancer, it’s still smart to get screened. [4] X Trustworthy Source National Cancer Institute An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support Go to source Blood tests can detect cancer even before early symptoms have begun to show. Don’t worry if you have one of the signs of cancer (e. g. , constipation or nausea) for a short period of time. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to visit your doctor and discuss the potential cancer symptom.
If your doctor doesn’t have the necessary equipment at their office, they may ask you to visit a nearby hospital to have your blood taken.
It’s common for doctors to ask patients to fast for 12 hours prior to a blood test. [7] X Research source In this case, you can drink water but shouldn’t consume any food or other liquid. If you’re worried that you may become light-headed or faint while you’re fasting, ask your doctor if there are ways that you can avoid this.
A CBC with a differential shows a breakdown of your white blood count (WBC), which helps the doctor recognize cancer. Additionally, the CBC will rule out infections as a cause of your symptoms. Abnormally low or high counts of white or red blood cells or platelets can indicate different types of cancer. If you’re taking a steroid drug like prednisone, it can raise your WBC in your lab results, so your doctor will take that into consideration. [9] X Research source You’ll experience a small amount of discomfort during any kind of blood test when the doctor or nurse inserts the needle into your arm. The rest of the procedure should be relatively painless, and having your blood drawn will only take about 5 minutes.
If your doctor suspects that you have multiple myeloma, the next step will usually be to take a bone-marrow sample. [11] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source
This kind of test is relatively new and was only recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Because of this, the test isn’t commonly given in clinical settings.
In many cases, your results will be returned in less than 2 weeks. If it’s been more than 2 weeks, give your doctor a call and ask when you can expect the results.
Being diagnosed with any type of cancer can be extremely stressful and difficult to deal with. If you’re struggling with the diagnosis, talk to your family and friends, or reach out to a therapist. There are also in-person and online support groups that you can participate in. These support groups are an excellent way to talk with other cancer patients and survivors. [15] X Trustworthy Source National Cancer Institute An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support Go to source
You’ll be given a local anesthetic before the biopsy sample is taken, so the experience should be painless. Ask the doctor if you need to take pain medication or wear a bandage after the biopsy.
