Most patients with stomach pain or bloating are referred to their GP for blood tests. However, it is not known how well routine blood tests can predict the risk of cancer.
In this regard, the researchers studied data from more than 400,000 people aged 30 or over in the United Kingdom who visited a general practitioner due to stomach pain, as well as more than 50,000 patients who visited the doctor due to bloating.
The team found that in 19 commonly used blood tests, abnormal results were associated with an increased risk of being diagnosed with cancer within a year.
The study estimated that if these findings were taken into account, the number of people with undiagnosed cancer who would be referred for urgent diagnosis would increase by 16%, compared to assessing cancer risk based on symptoms, age and sex alone.
“Our study suggests that we could improve cancer detection using blood tests that are already available and routinely performed on patients with non-specific symptoms and an unclear cause,” said lead author Dr Mina Rafik, from the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Health at University College London. “This could be an effective and affordable way to improve early cancer diagnosis and, in some cases, increase the likelihood of successful treatment.”
The researchers also found that one in 50 people (2.2%) who went to their GP to report stomach pain were diagnosed with cancer within the following 12 months. The findings were similar for people with bloating.
The risk of cancer was estimated at 3.1% for men in their 60s with stomach pain, and the risk rose to 8.6% for men in their 80s.
Anemia, abnormally high platelets, and increased inflammatory markers were found to predict the risk of undiagnosed cancer in people aged 30 to 59 who had abdominal pain or bloating.
“Commonly used blood tests can greatly enhance the assessment of cancer risk,” she added.
Source: Medical Express
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2024-08-01 02:11:06
