Each year hundreds of people die due to blood cancer.  Blood cancers affect the immune system and weaken your bone if it is not diagnosed in the early stages.  

Moreover, there is no cure for blood cancer if it is not diagnosed in its early stages. Therefore, it is only advisable to detect it in the early years by examining yourself. You should visit your doctor if you notice any symptoms that persist. 

Do you know different types of blood tests are used to diagnose blood cancers? 

Each blood test for cancer is different, but they can tell a lot about the condition of your body.  Read this blog to know more about blood cancer. 

Blood Cancer 

Blood cancer is one of the leading causes of death all around the globe. It is one of the types of cancer that affects the blood cells of the affected person. Blood cancer changes the way blood cells work and disrupts the normal functions of the body.  

It is better to remember the symptoms and visit your doctor to treat them in their early stages. 

It starts from the bone marrow of the person, which is an integral source of blood production.  The stem cells that exist in your bone marrow mature. Thus, it develops into three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.  White blood cells help in fighting infections and are a major part of your immune system. The job of the red blood cells is to carry oxygen to your organs and tissues so you can easily breathe. Lastly, when you are injured, plasma cells rush to clot the injured area.  

But if a person has blood cancer, blood production is stopped as the abnormal blood cells grow. The different types of blood cancers are Myeloma, Leukemia, and Lymphoma. 

Symptoms of Blood Cancer 

The most common symptoms of blood cancer are as follows: 

• Bleeding of the gums
• Bone fractures
• Weight loss
• Sweating at night 
• Frequent headaches
• Difficulty in urinating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty in urinating
• Fatigue
• Occurrence of rashes
• Occurrence of lymph nodes
• Frequent back pain
• Joint Pain 
• Flu and Fever 

Different Types of Blood Cancer

A person can be infected with three different types of blood cancers. 

• Leukemia

It is caused due to the abnormal production of the blood cells in the bone marrow. The abnormal cancerous cell affects the bone marrow functionality. Thus, these abnormal cells spill into the bloodstream. It is also known as cancer of white blood cells. 

If this type of cancer is not treated early, it spreads to the liver and spleen. So the doctor might ask you to go for a CT scan or X-ray as well to examine your body if he suspects you have Leukemia. 

• Lymphoma

Lymphoma attacks the lymph nodes of the person and affects their functionality. In order for the immune system to fight infections, lymph nodes need to function properly. Thus, your body cannot fight infections if you have lymphoma. 

People whose immune system is weak are most likely to suffer from lymphoma. Your healthcare facilitator might ask you for an open MRI, x-ray imaging, or a wide bore MRI. Apart from blood tests, these tests are also done to check the spread of cancer. 

• Myeloma 

Myeloma affects the plasma cells, and they are a type of white blood cells. Plasma cells are responsible for producing antibodies to fight diseases. Thus, myeloma affects the plasma cells, and as a result, the immune system weakens. 

Moreover, it also forms tumors in the bone marrow, and it can also damage your bones. Therefore, your health care facilitator might ask you to go for MRI Elizabeth NJ, diagnostic imaging NJ, and pet scan as well to examine your overall health. 

Different Types of Blood Tests for Cancer 

Going for the test is highly significant in treating blood cancer in its early stages. Below is the list of types of tests for cancer. The testing is essential to confirm whether you have cancer or even monitor the progress of the medications.  

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common types of blood test for cancer. It helps in measuring the condition of the blood and various types of blood cells. You have to provide a sample of your blood for the examination. 

CBC is used for various purposes, but one of its purposes is to detect Leukemia and lymphoma. Thus, abnormal cell growth is easily detected with this type of test. 

Your health care facilitator can ask you for this test to check the progress of the treatment or the spread of cancer. 

Tumor Marker Tests 

Tumor markers are built by the immune system in response to cancer. Thus, various tests can help in detecting the tumors in the blood. In addition, it can indicate the presence of cancer in the body.  

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing

It is a common type of test used to detect the presence of cancer in the body. PSA is a type of protein that is produced by malignant and normal cells of the prostate gland.  Thus, this test helps in monitoring the condition of cancer cells in the body. 

 With this type of test, the doctors might conduct other tests as well to understand whether you have cancer or not. 

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Testing 

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Testing is another type of blood test used to detect several different types of cancer present in the body. The antigen is the substance made by cancerous cells and released into the bloodstream of the person. 

CEA testing can help in determining whether cancerous cells are still present in the body or not. 

Alpha-Fetoprotein Testing (AFP) 

AFP tests can help the health care facilitator determine the amount of AFP present in the person’s blood. 

Thus, the presence of antigen found via this test can indicate that the person has a particular type of cancer. 

Blood Protein Testing

In blood protein testing, the healthcare facilitator looks for the abnormal immune system proteins in the blood. 

Blood protein testing can also help in detecting myeloma, a type of blood cancer. If the protein is abnormal several other tests are conducted to determine the health condition.  

HDL Cholesterol Blood Testing 

HDL cholesterol blood testing helps in determining the quantity of cholesterol that is carried by the HDL particles. Thus, it is done via the help of blood tests. 

The health care facilitator takes your blood sample in this type of test and analyzes it to determine the presence of high-density lipoprotein particles in the blood. 

Test Results 

The test results should not be taken lightly at all. Ask your doctor to examine the results carefully.  The results can help in determining the next steps you should take to treat the disease.  

In addition to that, prioritize your health and go for the tests after every six months. It can help in the early diagnosis of blood cancer or several other cancers. The health care facilitators aim to examine the various blood chemicals such as electrolytes, blood glucose, hormones, etc. 

Thus, checking the chemicals can help in evaluating whether body organs are functioning properly or not. Blood tests for cancers are also associated with MRI imaging, MRI scan, and NJ imaging. The purpose is to check the damage done by the cancerous cells. 

Today, diagnostic imaging services are offered at various places, and experienced experts examine the samples and generate proper reports. 

Do not take the words of your health care facilitator lightly. Instead, be careful about your health and take proper precautions. 

Takeaway 

Cancer is indeed one of the most common causes of death around the world. Unfortunately, the death ratio is increasing because people are unable to diagnose it in the early stages. 

Make sure you go for the tests to prevent cancer and its different types in its early stages. 

In addition to that, if you observe any symptoms, do not hesitate to contact your doctor as it saves your life!