Cancer detection

[Bambiagain]

Over the years I have lost both parents, several friends and a former boss to cancer. In addition two family members and a good friend have to date survived cancer. All these people, to a greater or lesser extent, went through hoops in getting their cancers diagnosed. My father was fobbed off by the GP, who told him he had an ulcer, until it was too late and he died within three months of diagnosis. The friend who survived was also told there was nothing much wrong with him - despite losing as massive amount of weight because he was unable to eat - and it was not until he collapsed and was taken to a different hospital to the one he had been seen at before that he was told he had cancer and was going to die. Fortunately this diagnosis was modified when he was operated on and he has survived a recurrence of the cance and is to date fighting fit. Other people had to wait varying lengths of time for tests, referrals etc. before being diagnosed and treated.

Now a friend who is having stomach problems has been given a blood test and told that he does not have cancer. Given the history of my friends and family I am sceptical, although I am aware that medicine has advanced since my father died (over thirty years ago) and presumably diagnostic techniques have improved. Is it the case that a blood test can say definitively that a person does or does not have cancer? If so, is this true of all cancers, or only certain types? Given that I have regular mammograms and smear tests, I would assume that a blood test is not all that reliable or I wouldn't have to go through these particular tests. Or am I wrong?

[Sqad]

The only reliable blood test for cancer is that of cancer of the prostate for men and that is not 100% reliable. I know of no other blood tests for cancer, but I am prepared to be informed.

Doctors. like all other human beings do make mistakes and as long as there is no evidence of poor or inadequate standard of care, there will always be "mistakes"

Medicine is not an exact science but is getting more so over the years and in many cases, the expectations of the public are unreasonable in the main.

[Bambiagain]

Thank you. I must say I was dubious when he told me that a blood test had given him the all-clear, while of course hoping that it is accurate.

[sandyRoe]

Could a whole-body scan give warning when a cancer was in its very early stages? I believe that one problem with cancer is that it isn't detected until it's too late.

[bednobs]

blood tests can add to a diagnosis. for example, in someone with the symptoms of ovarian cancer, a cd125 count (blood test) can help, but taken in conjuntion with scans and symptoms

[Sqad]

Sandy.....a whole body scan would show an abnormality, which may or may not be cancer, plus the fact that there are not enough body scanners or personnel to maintain such a routine investigation.

[Marijn]

The letter you receive after a smear doesn't say "you haven't got cancer". . .it says "you don't APPEAR to have cancer". Why is that?

[Bambiagain]

So, bednobs, is that why I was told after a blood test a couple of years ago when I had what turned out to be a large cyst, that I needn't worry as it wasn't cancer?

[Bambiagain]

Notafish - covering their, ahem, rear ends?

[Sqad]

bednobs....this is a very unreliable blood test, accurate in less than 50% of Ovarian Cancers ( if I remember correctly). In 20% of established Ovarian Cancers the blood levels are within normal limits.

Not a test to be relied upon.

[sandyRoe]

Would a worried-well, and wealthy, person be spending their money wisely if they opted to pay for a regular scan?

[237SJ]

If you mean CT scan, then isn`t it dangerous to have too many of those due to radiation levels?

[Sqad]

Sandy......LOL........I wouldnt but there again I am neither worried or wealthy......yes, it may reassure me...........bit like people "knocking back" vitamin pills.

[Sqad]

237SJ I think she means MRI scans.

[Bambiagain]

As an add-on to this, I'm told I can't get my brand new knee near an MRI scanner as the metal would cook me. Could I get scanned as far down as say the hips? I suppose the other knee, which is all original parts, could never get scanned?

[Sqad]

Bambi.....I didn't know that.......perhaps someone could put me right.

[woofgang]

I took part in a research project to try to find a marker in blood that would help to diagnose breast cancer..I just had to give a little blood.

[Bambiagain]

Squad - I had the new knee earlier this year and, after the hospital stay, I was carted off to a "Kur" clinic (I'm in Germany) for three weeks. In one of the useful little group sessions in which we were told how to cope while we were recovering, it was pointed out that MRI scans are a really bad idea, but I failed (as did the other participants) to enquire further.

Woofgang - I assume this test is still in the experimental stages,then?

[Sqad]

Bambi....far be it from me to disagree with your Consultant, but I can see no reason for a patient with a knee replacement to have an MRI Scan providing that you tell the Radiologist.

[woofgang]

I never heard any more and that was three years ago now.

[Bambiagain]

That's a shame, Woofgang. Very rude of them! But I hope it comes to something in the not too distant future.

Squad, perhaps I can check that with my surgeon, if I remember next time I see him.