Does a normal blood work up test check for cancers?

Answer 1

No, not a blood test on it's own. Usually an analysis of other symptoms along with a range of blood tests may confirm that there is something not quite right, which may require further detailed tests and evaluations. For instance a Full Blood Count test gives a lot of information which in conjunction with other symptoms may establish the need for more specific tests that could identify the particular ailment more precisely.

FBC measures include: * the amount of haemoglobin in the blood; * the number of red blood cells (red cell count); * the percentage of blood cells as a proportion of the total * blood volume (haematocrit or packed cell volume); * the volume of red blood cells (mean cell volume); * the average amount of haemoglobin in the red blood cells (known as mean cell haemoglobin); * the number of white blood cells (white cell count); * the percentages of the different types of white blood cells (leucocyte differential count) * the number of platelets. A thorough CT scan/PET and bone density scans along with specific blood tests and the knowledge and experience of a clever oncologist would be the best and most accurate way of identifying any possible abnormalities.