Malignancy or Cancer is hard to detect.
However there are signs that show up which might indicate Cancer,
These symptoms need not indicate the presence of cancer,; they might indicate some other Disese as well.
Please remember, the conclusion that the symptoms and tests are arrived at by the reverse Logic, which is not admissible strictly in Logic and Reasoning.
That is it is not that these indicators and the results are the causes of Cancer.
More than 99 per cent of cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus Photo: ALAMY.Image Credit. Telegraph.co UK.
Most of the Cancer patients, at least those who have been surveyed, have all or some of these symptoms .
Some may not have these symptoms at all and some symtoms not known to us may be present.
That’s all.
Then why take these Tests and these symptoms seriously?
These are in the nature of abundant precaution.
That is very important.
The Doctors/Oncologists , with their experience can detect if it is indicative of malignancy and treat you accordingly.
Sad that some use this to make money by instilling fear in the patient.
Now to the Tests for early detection.
Again I emphasize two facts.
1.The parameters of the Test are not uniform.
They vary.
For example , the parameters for Alkaline Phosphate Level varies from Lab to Lab.
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The normal range is 44 to 147 IU/L (international units per liter).
Normal values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. They also can vary with age and gender. High levels of ALP are normally seen in children undergoing growth spurts and in pregnant women.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
Labs parameters say 44-120!”
So when one gets a reading at 149 he is scared.
Under these circumstances it is best to consult a Liver specialist and an Oncologist and have second opinions on both.
2.The results in the Tests may be due to some other normal activity or the side effect of a prescribed Drug intake.
In the case of Alkaline Phosphate, the elevated reading might be due to the intake some medicines or due to excessive Exercise which increases the Alkaline Phosphate Level.
So do not jump to conclusions and take the advice of Doctors and get a second opinion before drugging yourself.
For the benefit of laymen like me, I am posting some tests needed to detect cancer.
Remember I am no Doctor or a specialist; the post is to familiarities the Patient and those close to him so that they do not become unduly worried or to prevent some nonprofessionals from milking you.
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A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that is used to help diagnose some blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, tell if a cancer has spread to the bone marrow, and help determine how your body is tolerating cancer treatments. If you are being treated with chemotherapy, your doctor will likely monitor your blood cell counts regularly using CBCs.
A CBC provides important information about the amount of three types of cells in your blood: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Each of these measurements has a normal range that will be noted on your CBC. Typical test values are given as a range (called a reference range) instead of a specific number because they vary from person to person.
White blood cell (WBC) count. A white blood cell count, also called a leukocyte count, measures the number of WBCs in a sample of blood. WBCs protect the body from infection by attacking invading bacteria, viruses, and other foreign materials in the body. Some WBCs can also attack cancer cells. A normal range for a WBC count is 3,300 to 8,700 WBCs per microliter (mcL).
White blood cell (WBC) differential. A WBC differential is a test that measures the number of each type of WBC. There are five major types of WBCs: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Each type of cell plays a different role in protecting the body and helping you stay healthy. People with some types of cancer may have higher-than-normal numbers of lymphocytes or monocytes.
Some cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, may cause a decrease in your body’s WBCs. Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, can cause a decrease in the WBC count. These cancers and cancer treatments may cause a condition called neutropenia, an abnormally low level of neutrophils. Neutrophils are measured by a number called the absolute neutrophil count (ANC). A normal ANC range is 2,500 to 6,000 neutrophils.
A noticeable decrease in the number of neutrophils increases the chances of developing a bacterial infection. At times, your doctor may choose to lower the dose of chemotherapy you receive to decrease your chance of developing low neutrophil counts. Your doctor may also recommend medication, such as white blood cell growth factors, to increase your body’s production of neutrophils, especially if you develop a fever. Learn more about ASCO’s recommendations for white blood cell growth factors.
Red blood cell (RBC) count. RBCs carry oxygen throughout your body, and the number of RBCs can be described in a few different ways. An RBC count, also called an erythrocyte count, measures the number of RBCs in a sample of blood. A normal range for an RBC count is approximately 4 to 6 million RBCs per mcL. The hematocrit is the percentage of your blood that is made up of RBCs. A normal hematocrit range is 38% to 48%. The hemoglobin (HgB) level measures the amount of the protein in RBCs that actually carries the oxygen. If the level of hemoglobin is low, your body works much harder to deliver oxygen to tissues throughout the body. A normal HgB range is 12.6 to 16.1 grams per deciliter.
Some cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may cause a decrease in your body’s RBCs. This condition is known as anemia. Blood loss, either from surgery or from specific cancers, can also cause or worsen anemia. Cancers that directly involve the bone marrow, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, can also interfere with the production of RBCs and cause anemia. People whose RBC count falls too low may need a blood transfusion or medication to help increase the body’s RBCs.
Platelet count. A platelet count measures the number of platelets in a sample of blood. Platelets help to stop bleeding by forming blood clots. A normal range for a platelet count is approximately 150,000 to 350,000 platelets per mcL.
Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, may cause a decrease in platelets, which may result in a condition called thrombocytopenia. Cancers that involve the bone marrow directly, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, can also cause a decrease in the production of platelets. Patients with low platelet levels have a greater risk of serious bleeding or bruising. If your platelet count falls to very low levels, your doctor may give you platelet transfusions.
What the results mean
Blood test results must be interpreted carefully by your doctor and other members of your health care team. Keep in mind that many factors, including noncancerous conditions, can lead to results that fall out of the reference range. In addition, neutrophil and platelet counts have to fall to very low levels before infections and bleeding become major risks. Ask your doctor to help you be”
The links below are useful for Procedures and Tests.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003470.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-diagnosis/art-20046459
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